The Esophageal Obturator Airway

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The esophageal obturator airway (EOA) was approved for use in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) since 1973. Complications reported with its use include esophageal rupture, aspiration and inadvertent tracheal occlusion or intubation with the obturator. Five cases of unrecognized tracheal intubation occurring in 170 cases of EOA use during CPR are reported. Records were analyzed for extent and treatment of injuries in the field and the hospital, blood gas levels before and after replacement of the erroneously placed EOA with an endotracheal tube (ETT), and outcome. Blood gas analysis confirmed absent ventilation and profound acidosis following tracheal intubation with the EOA with average EOA arterial blood gases: pH 6.9/pCO2 [partial CO2 pressure] 78/pO2 [partial O2 pressure] 47. Mortality from this complication was 100%. Tracheal intubation with the EOA is under-recognized and under-reported. It is a potentially lethal complication. The EOA should be replaced with standard bag mask technique or preferably endotracheal intubation in the field by emergency medical technicians.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: