Airway management: a new look at old models

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anesthesiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Standard orotracheal intubation models are widely used for airway management training.
• Specialized airway techniques, such as nasotracheal intubation and lighted stylet use, require specific simulation tools.
• Existing manikins may not adequately represent the nuances of these advanced procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe simple, cost-effective methods for modifying standard intubation manikins.
• To adapt existing models for teaching and practicing nasotracheal intubation.
• To enable simulation of orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation using a lighted stylet.

Main Methods:

• The study details two distinct manipulation techniques for standard orotracheal intubation models.
• These modifications are designed to be quick and inexpensive to implement.
• The adapted manikins are intended for simulation of specific airway management scenarios.

Main Results:

• The described modifications successfully transform standard manikins into versatile training tools.
• The adapted models facilitate practice of standard nasotracheal intubation.
• Both orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation with a lighted stylet can be effectively simulated.

Conclusions:

• Simple modifications can significantly enhance the utility of standard intubation manikins.
• These methods provide accessible options for training advanced airway management skills.
• The adapted models offer a practical solution for improving proficiency in complex intubation techniques.