Clearing the airway? A pilot cadaveric study of the LifeVac™ device.

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration (FBA Fresh cadavers with intact upper airway anatomy were used. Grapes, hot dog slices, and steak cubes were placed at the level of the true vocal folds under video-laryngoscopic guidance. Interventions were performed by a PGY-1 otolaryngology resident and a board-certified head and neck surgeon, following LifeVac™ manufacturer instructions. The primary outcome was successful foreign body removal within four minutes. Secondary outcomes included time to removal and evidenc