Article of the Month, March 2022

Dear airway enthusiasts,

This month’s Article of the Month is “High-fidelity hybrid simulation for emergency cricothyroidotomy using a three-dimensional printed larynx and a simulated patient” from Sophie Hugger et al. published in EJA.

Knowledge and regular training of advanced techniques are as important as human factors in difficult airway management. eFONA (emergency Front Of Neck Access) is a life saving procedure that needs to be performed precisely in a Cannot Intubate-Cannot Oxygenate (CI-CO) scenario. Since it is associated with failure rates of 30-50% in its first attempt, structured and frequent practice are needed.

In this article, the authors developed and pilot-tested a highly vivid affordable hybrid simulation using a new cricothyroidotomy trainer - a 3D printed model of the larynx that was placed on the anterior neck of a simulated patient, increasing its realism! (the authors have shared the data file so it is possible to print the 3D airway model free of charge!)

The participants in this study confirmed that this hybrid simulation (cricothyroidotomy trainer + trained simulated patient) allowed them to train both technical skills and human factors as realistically as possible.

Proper Planning, Preparation and Practice Prevents Poor Performance!

Enjoy the reading!

Ana Isabel Pereira