Students insert the laryngeal tube quicker and more often successful than the esophageal–tracheal combitube in a manikin

BackgroundEndotracheal intubation remains the standard of airway management. Because intubation skills are difficult to acquire, for medical students teaching of easier to learn techniques should be considered.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data that were collected in a University teaching facility. 264 medical students were taught how to use laryngeal tube (LT) and Esophageal Tracheal Combitube® (ETC) in a manikin. The students underwent one of two different types of extraglottic airway management training consisting of either long lecture (30 min) and intensive training (2 h) (group IT, n = 48), or brief (10 min) lecture and 20 min of training (group BT, n = 216). Both groups underwent a test 6 weeks after training, group IT had an additional test 24 h after training.ResultsAfter 24 h students in group IT were faster using the LT than the ETC (31.7 s ± 2.1 vs. 51.9 s ± 5.8, p < 0.001). Up to 6 weeks after training students were able to place the LT significantly faster than the ETC in both groups (26.5 s ± 2.1 vs. 53.9 s ± 5.8 group IT and 43.4 s ± 1.6 vs. 103.8 s ± 4.4 group BT, p < 0.001). At 24 h and 6 weeks following intensive training, there was no statistical difference in the time required for insertion of either device.ConclusionFollowing different training scenarios in a manikin, students were able to place the LT much faster than the ETC. Even brief training was sufficient to generate short insertion times for the LT.