What is a Combitube SA?

The Combitube is a double-lumen tube combining the function of an esophageal obturator airway and a conventional endotracheal airway. 60–62.

What was Combitube used for?

The Combitube—also known as the esophageal tracheal airway or esophageal tracheal double-lumen airway—is a blind insertion airway device (BIAD) used in the pre-hospital and emergency setting. It is designed to provide an airway to facilitate the mechanical ventilation of a patient in respiratory distress.

Is a Combitube an advanced airway?

The esophageal-tracheal tube (sometimes referred to as a combitube) is an advanced airway alternative to ET intubation. This device provides adequate ventilation comparable to an ET tube.

What does an LMA do?

A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a device inserted into the area behind the mouth and nose, connecting them to the food pipe (the pharynx) to allow ventilation, oxygenation, and administration of anesthetic gases, without the need for inserting a tube in the windpipe (endotracheal intubation).

What is the difference between RSI and intubation?

One important difference between RSI and routine tracheal intubation is that the practitioner does not typically manually assist the ventilation of the lungs after the onset of general anesthesia and cessation of breathing, until the trachea has been intubated and the cuff has been inflated.

What is Combitube intubation used for?

Combitube, endotracheal intubation is the preferred method for definitively securing the airway. Either the oral or the nasal route can be used for fiberoptic-guided airway exchange. The Combitube is left in place and the proximal cuff is partially deflated for fiber-optic intubation

What is an esophageal Combi tube?

The Esophageal Tracheal Combitube (Combitube; Tyco Healthcare, Mansfield, MA) is a device for emergency intubation that combines the functions of an esophageal obturator airway and a conventional ETT ( Fig. 27-2 ). The Combitube is a double-cuff and double-lumen tube ( Fig. 27-3 ).

Do I need a laryngoscope for Combitube intubation?

The combitube can be inserted blindly without the aid of a laryngoscope. However, use of a laryngoscope has been reported to facilitate placement of the Combitube. It appears that the laryngoscope aids insertion by forcefully creating a greater space in the hypopharynx. Induce patient as if for regular intubation.

How do you ventilate with a Combitube?

Make sure the Combitube is not per chance in the trachea. Attempt to ventilate through connector number 2, if breath sounds are heard over the lungs then the combitube has been placed in the trachea instead of the esophagus. Deflate the large proximal pharyngeal cuff and use the Combitube as a regular ETT.