Clinical Trial: Efficacy of Surface Landmark Palpation for Identification of the Cricoid Cartilage in Obstetric Patients

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Efficacy of Surface Landmark Palpation for Identification of the Cricoid Cartilage in Obstetric Patients

Brief Summary: Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI), with cricoid pressure is advocated for all obstetric patients undergoing general anesthesia. Applying cricoid pressure correctly is crucial to prevent aspiration. Using Ultrasound guidance we will be assessing the ability of different disciplines of caregivers to correctly localize the cricoid cartilage in obstetric patients by anatomical landmark palpation.

Detailed Summary: Obstetric patients coming for elective cesarean delivery will be recruited for the study. Informed consent will be obtained from the patient. The participant (anesthesiologist, resident, nurse, or RT) will mark the center of the cricoid cartilage with the patient in the sniffing position, using fluorescent "invisible" ink. Another anesthesiologist who is expert in using ultrasound will find the proximal and distal margins of the cricoid cartilage an will draw a line at the middle of the 2 margins. Evaluation of the participant's assessment will be considered accurate if it falls within 5 mm from the ultrasound's measured line .The assessor will also be asked to score the ease of cricoid cartilage palpation between 1 to 10 using a visual analog scoring (VAS) scale. Total time taken for palpation will also be measured.
Sponsor: Lawson Health Research Institute

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Distance between measured Cricoid cartilage (by Assessors) and Ultrasound [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]
  • The level of difficulty to locate Cricoid cartilage NRS score [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]
  • Total time required for assessment [ Time Frame: 10 seconds ]


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Lawson Health Research Institute

Dates:
Date Received: April 7, 2015
Date Started: May 2015
Date Completion:
Last Updated: March 2, 2016
Last Verified: March 2016