Can pediatric anesthesiologists detect an occluded tracheal tube in neonates?
To determine whether pediatric anesthesiologists can reliably detect occluded tracheal tubes, 18 pediatric anesthesiologists who were blindfolded and fitted with earplugs manually ventilated the lungs of 16 neonates. Consent was obtained from the parents of the neonates. All auditory signals from the monitors were silenced. Six conditions were studied (for 3 min each) in random order: three models of Ayre’s t-piece with the Jackson Rees modification and two fresh gas flows (FGF) (2 and 6 L/min). During each condition, the tracheal tube was clamped at five predetermined but randomized times. The volume/pressure relationships of the three t-piece models were determined. Tube occlusions were detected more frequently at a low FGF (82%) than at a high FGF (64%) (P < 0.001). Experienced anesthesiologists (>8 yr experience) detected occlusions (83%) more frequently than less experienced (<2 yr experience) anesthesiologists (63%) (P < 0.027). There was no interaction between FGF and experience
