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Updated: Jan 18, 2026

A Novel Rescue Technique for Difficult Intubation and Difficult Ventilation
Published on: January 17, 2011
The Ventrain Device: A Future Role in Difficult Airway Algorithms?
Stuart Morrison1, Sophie Aerts, Vera Saldien
1From the Department of Anesthesiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
Abstract:
The Ventrain is a small, manually operated, single-use, inspiratory flow-adjustable ventilation device that generates positive pressure during inspiration and, through a Bernoulli effect within the device, active suction during expiration. It was designed to provide emergency ventilation during airway obstruction via narrow-bore cannulae. The device has been used successfully in elective procedures lasting >1 hour. It remains to be seen if its theoretical advantages in "can't intubate, can't oxygenate" (CICO) scenarios translate to reliable clinical benefit and allow inclusion in future airway algorithms. We advocate for regular simulation training and the detailed reporting of clinical experience with this encouraging new tool.
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