| Efficient airway management is considered as an inevitablly vital
skill required for emergency physicians [1]. Bag-mask-ventilation
(BMV), the first step in airway management, is an essential rescue
maneuver in situations where any attempt at establishing secure
airway through intubation or supraglottic airway devices placement
fails [2]. In spite of appearing a rather simple technique, performing
appropriate BMV could accompany numerous difficulties. BMV
should be performed by an experienced person so that the mask is
placed firmly and appropriately and the required positive pressure is
applied sufficiently. It should be emphasized that lack of expertise is
considered a partial contraindication of performing BMV [3].
In the present article, we are to firstly describe Difficult Bag-Mask
Ventilation (DMV), evaluate its associated risk factors and finally
introduce the most recent approaches towards overcoming it.
In an original report of the American Society of Anesthesiologists
(ASA), Task Force on Management of the Difficult Airway, in 1993, the
following definition of DMV was introduced: “DMV is a situation that
develops when it is not possible for the unassisted anesthesiologist to
maintain the oxygen saturation 90% using 100% oxygen and positive
pressure ventilation, or to prevent or reverse signs of inadequate
ventilation” [4].
1. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) consequently
reported that DMV occurs in the situations in which the
anesthesiologist is unable to establish ventilation using bagmask
due to one or more of the following reasons [5]:inadequate
mask seal
2. excessive gas leak
3. excessive resistance to the ingress or egress of gas
Or whenever the following signs and symptoms of inadequate
ventilation are present:
1. Absent or inadequate chest movement
2. Absent or inadequate breath sounds
3. Auscultatory signs of severe obstruction
4. Cyanosis
5. Gastric air entry or dilatation
6. Decreasing or inadequate oxygen saturation (SpO2)
7. Absent or inadequate exhaled carbon dioxide (ETCO2)
8. Absent or inadequate spirometric measures of exhaled gas flow
9. Hemodynamic changes associated with hypoxemia or
hypercarbia (e.g., hypertension, tachycardia, and dysrhythmia).
Additionally, in a valuable study carried out by Khaterpal et al.,
numerous significant risk factors for DMV have been introduced
including: Age≥55yr, Male gender, Body Mass Index≥31 kg/m2,
Junior anesthesia provider, Sleep apnea, Snoring, Presence of beard,
Edentulousness, Thick neck, Neck radiation changes, Limited
thyromental distance and Mallampati III or IV [6].
It should however be remembered that appropriate coverage of
mouth and nose by mask is an essential basis of BMV as there are three
major concerns regarding providing adequate ventilation using bagmask
including inadequate tidal volume, inappropriate oxygenation
and gastric insufflation. Therefore providing complete coverage of
mouth and nose is inevitable for eliminating the first two concerns [7].
Herein we would discuss the most recent approaches towards DMV in
general and specific (described by Kheterpal) conditions |