Utilization of Airway Stabilizing Rod to Assist With Laryngeal Mask Airway Guided Fiberoptic Intubation in Adults With Obesity

When a patient cannot be ventilated and/or intubated, the guidelines for airway management (ASA difficult airway algorithm) dictate that a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) be used as a rescue device to oxygenate and ventilate the patient. However, an LMA is generally temporary and ultimately needs to be replaced by an endotracheal tube (ETT).

At present, providers can use an exchange catheter through the LMA to place the ETT. However, all current techniques to place the ETT through the LMA are done WITHOUT direct visualization or the ability to provide oxygenation or ventilation. This has the possibility of either accidental tracheal extubation or esophageal intubation as well as the possibility of causing trauma to the airway, particularly of concern in a patient with a difficulty airway.

To bridge this gap, the investigators developed an innovative device called the FASTER that would allow for patients (children through adults) to have an ETT placed through the LMA under direct vision and while being able to oxygenate and ventilate, greatly improving safety.

The first step was to create a prototype that was validated in a mannequin (H-47253 ). Following this validation, the investigators created and successfully performed a feasibility study in children without difficult airway at Texas Children's demonstrating success and no adverse events (H-47253) . Following this feasibility study, and despite the FASTER device being completely external to the patient, given that the study was performed in children, the investigators obtained an IDE from the FDA for study in children specifically with difficulty airways. At present, the investigators have successfully completed an initial study in children (n=20) (H-50120) all with difficulty airways without any adverse events. In this study, children that were previously difficult to intubate having an average of three intubating attempts were intubated in a single attempt in an average of just 66 seconds.

The objective for this protocol is to demonstrate feasibility in using this device in adult obese patients. In this study, the investigators will be using this device that is completely external to the patient and only in adults (not including any protected classes of patients).

Moreover, in the completed study of children with actual difficulty airways, the investigators demonstrated tremendous success and patient benefit without any adverse events. In this protocol, the investigators will not enroll any patients with difficult airway nor any patients in protected classes.