Use of the Stethoscope to Confirm Breathing Tube Placement

This study is intended to validate the use of neck auscultation with an electronic stethoscope during intubation to confirm tracheal tube placement.

It is hypothesized that the ability to confirm correct tube placement with this technique will be similar to that of the end-tidal CO2 monitor, the current gold-standard device for confirming tracheal intubation.

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Key information

Conditions

Intubation, Endotracheal

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

St. Boniface General Hospital

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2H 2A6, Canada

About this study

Unrecognized esophageal intubation results in disastrous consequences. Fortunately, a variety of techniques have been cited to confirm placement of the endotracheal tube. However, even end-tidal CO2 monitoring, considered to be the gold standard, has been associated with false positive and false negative results. In addition, use of this monitor requires ventilation through the tube, resulting in gastric distention if the esophagus has been intubated.

When the lateral neck is auscultated during insertion of an endotracheal tube, there is a distinct difference between the sounds generated by a tube placed in the esophagus compared to a tube inserted into the trachea. Stethoscopes are readily available in any OR setting, and ventilation and release of cricoid pressure need not occur prior to confirmation of tube placement. However, this technique has yet to be validated.

A series of sounds heard at the lateral neck during both tracheal and esophageal intubation will be recorded using an electronic stethoscope. These sound files will be played to a group including both experienced and inexperienced intubators, who will be asked to identify which sounds represent tracheal and esophageal intubation. Overall accuracy will be determined for the group of listeners.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Elective surgery requiring general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation

Exclusion criteria

Anticipated difficult intubation
Contraindication to esophageal intubation

Treatment and study plan

Neck Auscultation

Procedure

Primary outcomes

Group accuracy: Correct identification of tube placement based on series of 30 sound files

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Manitoba

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Differentiation Between Esophageal and Tracheal Intubation Utilizing Neck Auscultation

Important dates

Study start: 2006
Study completion: 2007
First posted: Sep 20, 2006
Registry last updated: Dec 19, 2007

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed