King Tube vs IGEL for Airway Management
In this episode of Wilderness Medicine Updates, Dr. Patrick Fink addresses a listener's question on whether to use a King Tube or an IGEL as an out-of-hospital airway adjunct. The episode begins with an overview of airway management techniques from mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to supraglottic airway devices. Dr. Fink explains the benefits and drawbacks of various airway adjuncts, including oral and nasal pharyngeal airways. The discussion then shifts to a detailed comparative analysis of King Tubes and IGELs based on retrospective and prospective studies. Dr. Fink evaluates the evidence indicating that IGEL may be more effective and easier to use than King Tubes, particularly in pre-hospital cardiac arrest situations. The episode concludes with recommendations for pre-hospital providers and an encouragement for listeners to share their questions and feedback.
Links:
iGel LMA
King Tube
Smida T, Menegazzi J, Scheidler J, et al. A retrospective comparison of the King Laryngeal Tube and iGel supraglottic airway devices: A study for the CARES surveillance group. Resuscitation. 2023;188:109812. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109812
Smida, Tanner & Menegazzi, James & Crowe, Remle & Scheidler, James & Salcido, David & Bardes, James. (2023). A Retrospective Nationwide Comparison of the iGel and King Laryngeal Tube Supraglottic Airways for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation. Prehospital emergency care. 28. 1-13. 10.1080/10903127.2023.2169422.
Lønvik, M.P., Elden, O.E., Lunde, M.J. et al. A prospective observational study comparing two supraglottic airway devices in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. BMC Emerg Med 21, 51 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-021-00444-0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Listener Question
00:55 Understanding Airway Adjuncts
02:12 Basic Airway Management Techniques
06:34 Advanced Airway Devices: King Tube and LMA
11:35 Comparative Studies on Airway Devices
17:35 Prospective Data and Final Thoughts
25:24 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
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