Does Training on a Virtual Reality Bronchoscopy Simulator Improve Performance of Bronchoscopic Intubation in Patients?

University Health Network, Toronto

Status: Completed

Conditions: Endotracheal Intubation

Treatments: Device: Simulator (ORSIM) training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02699242

13-6321-BE

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to study whether training by residents or anesthesia assistants, on a recently introduced virtual-reality bronchoscopic simulator (ORSIM) improves performance of fiberoptic intubation in patients.

Full description

Traditionally, fiber optic bronchoscopy (FOB) intubation has been taught in a see one, do one basis. Modern training method in skill acquisition involves the use of simulators. Recently a portable, computer based, bronchoscopic simulator (ORSIM) was developed. The investigators hypothesized that operators trained with the ORSIM simulator will be more proficient in performing asleep FOB intubation than those trained with didactic teaching alone.

This randomized trial involves 34 consented residents or anesthesia assistants (AAs). In preparation, each consented person will view a teaching video of FOB intubation and tips. They will then perform an asleep FOBI in the OR under a staff anesthesiologist's supervision who's familiar with the study. Those who are randomized to the ORSIM group with undergo simulator training of 30-60 min. Those in the Didactic group will not undergo further training. Within about a week, the resident/AA will perform another asleep FOB intubation.

The study results will impact on how FOB intubation will be taught effectively in the future.

Enrollment: 34 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Subject:

• anesthesia/surgery/emergency/critical care residents or anesthesia assistants who have performed less than 5 Fiberoptic intubations

Exclusion criteria

• experience with bronchoscopy simulator or 5 or more FOB intubations

Patient:

• Anticipated difficult airway
• Mallampati Grade (MPG) >III
• Body Mass Index (BMI) >30

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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34 participants in 2 patient groups

Simulator arm

Experimental group

Description:

In the Simulation arm group the subjects will be trained on the virtual reality bronchoscopic simulator (ORSIM simulator) for up to 60 minutes as active intervention, before they undertake the 2nd Fiber optic intubations.

Treatment:

Device: Simulator (ORSIM) training

Control arms

No Intervention group

Description:

The control arm will be exposed only to the didactic teaching. The subjects will not undergo simulator training before undergoing 2nd fiber optic intubations.