Episode 21: Supraglottic Airways

With Dr. Steven Schauer

In this episode, Dr. Schauer joins us to discuss supraglottic airways. These devices are often considered to be ‘rescue’ adjuncts for a ‘failed’ airway, but this discussion may change the way you approach out-of-hospital airway control. Listen as Dr. Schauer talks about the types of patients who should receive SGAs, tips and tricks for using them, and the importance of training on these devices now matter how simple they appear.

Dr. Schauer discusses why SGAs aren’t prevalent yet in the furthest forward units and describes research done by his own team:

• Schauer, S. G., Naylor, J. F., Uhaa, N., April, M. D., & De Lorenzo, R. A. (2020). An Inventory of the Combat Medics’ Aid Bag. Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals, 20(1), 61–64.

While discussing pitfalls of using SGAs, Dr. Schauer also mentions a very recent study discussing misplaced SGAs:

• Norii, T., Makino, Y., Unuma, K., Hatch, G. M., Adolphi, N. L., Dallo, S., … & Braude, D. (2021). Extraglottic airway device misplacement: a novel classification system and findings in postmortem computed tomography. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 77(3), 285-295.

Trevor makes reference to the AIRWAYS II Trial…:

• Benger, J. R., Kirby, K., Black, S., Brett, S. J., Clout, M., Lazaroo, M. J., Nolan, J. P., Reeves, B. C., Robinson, M., Scott, L. J., Smartt, H., South, A., Stokes, E. A., Taylor, J., Thomas, M., Voss, S., Wordsworth, S., & Rogers, C. A. (2018). Effect of a Strategy of a Supraglottic Airway Device vs Tracheal Intubation During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest on Functional Outcome: The AIRWAYS-2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 320(8), 779–791. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.11597

…and he also mentions very well-designed checklists in Airway Management in Prolonged Field Care, CPG 80.

Thanks for listening to the DUSTOFF Medic Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the podcast, please share it with friends and colleagues, follow us on social media, and check out our other episodes. If you use these episodes in your training, send us a message and let us know!

Have a listen and let us know what you think!