A simple and safe method for tracheal intubation using a supraglottic intubation-aid device in mice

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Anesthesiology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Mice are vital in experimental medicine, but their small size complicates airway management.
• Tracheal intubation in mice presents significant challenges due to anatomical constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel supraglottic intubation-aid conduit (SIAC) for facilitating tracheal intubation in mice.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of the SIAC in spontaneously breathing, anesthetized mice.

Main Methods:

• A supraglottic intubation-aid conduit (SIAC) was designed and prototyped for mice.
• The device's efficacy was tested in spontaneously breathing mice under sevoflurane anesthesia.
• Initial prototypes were refined based on performance and observed adverse effects.

Main Results:

• The crude SIAC prototype demonstrated a 50% tracheal intubation success rate with occasional respiratory and upper airway adverse effects.
• After refinement of size and shape, the SIAC achieved a 100% tracheal intubation success rate.
• The refined SIAC caused no serious adverse effects during the procedure.

Conclusions:

• A supraglottic airway device (SIAC) can be successfully developed to aid tracheal intubation in mice.
• The design, specifically the shape and size, of the SIAC is critical for achieving successful and safe tracheal intubation in this species.