Comparison of the Effectiveness and Comfort Level of Two Commonly Used Mask Ventilation Techniques in a Model

Mask ventilation is an important rescue airway skill for providing oxygenation and ventilation. Maintaining a good face mask seal is a fundamental factor for successful ventilation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and comfortability of 2 commonly used mask ventilation techniques.

A randomized crossover study was performed to compare the 2-handed C-E and 2-handed V-E techniques on a simulation model. Respiratory therapists were recruited by convenience sampling to hold the mask during mechanical ventilation with a fixed tidal volume (V_T) of 500 mL, a rate of 12 breaths/min and a PEEP of zero were provided. Each participant performed a 2-min ventilation session, with a total of 24 breaths for each technique. For each technique, we recorded the median V_T and the number of successful breaths (≥300 mL). Provider comfort was assessed by using a 5-point Likert scale at the end of the 2 techniques. Subgroup analyses were conducted for sex, experience, and height of the participants.

Of the 75 respiratory therapists recruited, 74 participants were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the median V_T between the V-E (417 mL [interquartile range, 396-427] mL) and C-E techniques (410 [interquartile range, 391-423] mL) (P = .82). Approximately 74% of breaths delivered by the C-E technique were effective, whereas only 68% of those delivered by the V-E technique were effective (P < .001). Most of the participants reported that using the 2-handed C-E technique was more comfortable.

In our study, the median V_T did not differ significantly between the 2 techniques. However, the C-E technique seemed to be superior to the V-E technique in terms of the number of effectively delivered breaths and comfortability. Further studies are recommended for basic airway management techniques.