Comparison of Jaw-Thrust Maneuver and Standard Method for Airway Management with Laryngeal Mask Airway by Paramedics...

The first priority of the primary survey of trauma care is airway management. For patients who have a known or suspected cervical spine injury, using the jaw-thrust maneuver is critical. It was hypothesized that the jaw-thrust maneuver would ease the insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) by moving the tongue forward from the palate and posterior pharyngeal wall.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of jaw-thrust maneuver on LMA insertion times of the paramedics with or without chest compression and with or without cervical stabilization in a manikin.

Eleven experienced paramedics inserted LMA in jaw-thrust position and standard position in chest compression without cervical stabilization scenario, chest compression with cervical stabilization scenario, cervical stabilization without chest compression scenario, and the scenario where neither cervical stabilization nor chest compression were performed. The primary outcome of the study was the comparison of LMA insertion times for each method. The secondary outcome measures were first-pass success rates and the comparison of the difficulty level of each method.

During the LMA placement, performing the jaw-thrust maneuver instead of the standard method did not shorten the LMA insertion times. Adding chest compression and/or cervical stabilization did not complicate the LMA insertion. All of the LMA insertion attempts during the jaw-thrust maneuver and standard method were successful.

The findings of this study suggest that LMA insertion might be attempted both during the jaw-thrust maneuver and standard position in patients with or without chest compression and with or without cervical stabilization.