About this episode
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: An endotracheal tube introducer or bougie are often used as a rescue device during difficult intubations as they are small and can be placed blindly Large randomized-controlled trial looked at first-pass bougie use versus standard intubation to determine if there was improvement in first-pass success rate No difference in first-pass success rate, about 80% for both techniques This does not mean that bougies are not great rescue devices or options for managing an airway References Driver BE, Semler MW, Self WH, et al. Effect of Use of a Bougie vs Endotracheal Tube With Stylet on Successful Intubation on the First Attempt Among Critically Ill Patients Undergoing Tracheal Intubation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;326(24):2488–2497. Summarized by John Spartz, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD The Emergency Medical Minute is excited to announce that we are now offering AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ via online course modules. To access these and for more information, visit our website at https://emergencymedicalminute.org/cme-courses/ and create an account. Donate to EMM today!