Airway management by paramedics using endotracheal intubation with a laryngoscope versus the oesophageal tracheal Combitube™ and EasyTube™ on manikins: A randomised experimental trial

SummaryIntroductionThe EasyTube™, which is constructed in a similar way to the Combitube™, is a recently introduced alternative to tracheal intubation for airway management in emergency medicine.ObjectiveTo determine if there is a difference in rate of, and time to, successful airway placement and ventilation using tracheal intubation, Combitube™ and EasyTube™.MethodsTwenty-six paramedics, trained in tracheal intubation received additional training in the use of the Combitube™ and the EasyTube™. Each participant performed all three methods twice in random order on a manikin. Time to successful ventilation (presented as mean and standard deviation) and success rate were recorded.ResultsMean time to successful ventilation was significantly longer for tracheal intubation (45.2 s (S.D. = 15.8)) than for the Combitube™ (36.0 s (S.D. = 8.6)) p = 0.002 and the EasyTube™ (38.0 s (S.D. = 15.3)) p = 0.023 with no difference between the latter (p = 1.000). Success rate for the Combitube™ and EasyTube™ combined (103/104) was significantly higher than for tracheal intubation (45/52) with odds ratio 16.0 (95% CI: 1.9–134); p = 0.002.ConclusionFor paramedics tested on manikins placement success rate was higher with less time required for the Combitube™ and Easytube™ than for tracheal intubation with no differences between the Combitube and EasyTube™.