Noise levels in a neonatal transport incubator in medically configured aircraft.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate exposure of neonates to noise during air medical transport as few commercially available hearing protective devices exist for premature newborns during air medical transport. METHODS: Sound pressure levels in an infant incubator during actual flight conditions in four common medically configured aircraft were measured. Three noise dosimeters measured time-weighted average noise exposure during flight in each aircraft. One dosimeter was placed in the infant incubator, and the remaining dosimeters recorded noise levels in various parts of the aircraft cabin. RESULTS: The incubator provided a 6-dBA decrease in noise exposure from that in the crew cabin. The average noise level in the incubator in all aircraft was close to 80 dB, much higher than the proposed limits of 45 dB for neonatal intensive care unit noise exposure or 60 dB during transport. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of neonates to elevated noise levels during transport may be harmful, and steps should be taken to protect the hearing of this patient population.

Selective fiberoptic left main-stem intubation to treat bronchial laceration in an extremely low birth weight neonate.

A neonate born at 24 weeks gestation developed a right tension pneumothorax that persisted despite the placement of multiple thoracostomy tubes, the use of high-frequency ventilation and postural therapy. On day-of-life 11, bedside bronchoscopy revealed a laceration at the junction of the trachea and right main-stem bronchus. Under fiberoptic guidance the left main-stem bronchus was intubated. Single-lung ventilation then was employed for 24h, after which time the pneumothorax never recurred. We postulate that the diversion of positive-pressure ventilation away from the laceration site allowed the surrounding injury-induced granulation tissue to create a seal and facilitate closure of the defect.

The laryngeal mask airway at altitude.

The Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) is an accepted adjunct for airway management in emergency patients. There are a number of case reports describing its use in transport medicine for infant to adult patients, including during flight. Although studies of the effect altitude has on air-filled tracheal tubes exists, we were unable to find documentation of the effect of altitude on laryngeal mask airways. Our objective was to assess the effect of altitude on the LMA in both fixed wing and rotary wing models. We performed an in vitro study of the effect of altitude on the LMA cuff. Infant and adult airway trainer mannequins with properly sized and inserted LMA-Classic laryngeal mask airways were monitored for cuff pressure changes while flown at altitudes commonly encountered during air medical transport. Both models demonstrated that LMA cuff pressures may exceed manufacturer recommended levels for safe use even at the relatively low altitudes experienced during rotor wing flight. Properly inserted and inflated laryngeal mask airways at ground level may result in overinflated LMA cuffs when flown to altitudes commonly used for rotor and fixed wing medical transport unless monitored and corrected.