Abstract
Background: Exponential rise in SARS CoV cases, shortage in supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and inadequate surface decontamination necessitates the use of a barrier between the laryngoscopist and patient so as to decrease macroscopic contamination with respiratory secretions.
Methodology: Consecutive intubations that were done between May 2020 and July 2020 were reviewed and data was collected retrospectively from anaesthesia records.
Results: Seventy patients were studied, of which 42 were intubated with the help of aerosol box. Of these 42 patients, 6 of them required second attempt during laryngoscopy for successful endotracheal intubation. No patients desaturated below 92%, but intubation time was more than 3 minutes in 9 patients, 6 of whom were intubated with aerosol box. Aerosol box was used for all extubations without any complications
Conclusion: Aerosol boxes were very useful during extubations in terms of patient and intubator comfort. The potential efficacy of the aerosol box during intubation needs further evaluation with randomised controlled trials.
Keywords: COVID-19, intubation, operating room, prevention, aerosol box.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Bhagyalakshmi Ramesh
Associate Professor, Dept of Anaesthesiology, Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i12.06
