RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Paediatric intubations are a relatively rare but critical procedure that requires adequate practice to achieve skillful performance. Simulation is a method to teach intubation skills in a safe environment. Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP), as a method of simulation debriefing, has been shown to improve pediatric resident resuscitation skills. It has not been demonstrated if RCDP can be effectively used in procedural skills training. The objective of this study was to determine if RCDP with feedback in real-time, as well as an opportunity to repeat the action, is superior to a simulation where no feedback is provided during the simulation and is instead provided after the simulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized controlled single-blinded study. All participants were videotaped during a simulated pre-assessment intubation, then received either the intervention (RCDP) or the control teaching (feedback after the simulation), followed by a post-assessment intubation. These videos were scored by two independent raters on an intubation checklist. The primary outcome was the change in score. The secondary outcome was intubation success. RESULTS: Thirty-five students met the inclusion criteria. The RCDP group achieved a significantly higher score improvement in the preparation and post-procedure care categories. The overall score change in the RCDP group was significantly higher than in the control group, with a mean difference of -11.86 (CI -15.57 to -8.15, p<0.00001), but there was no significant improvement in intubation success. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that RCDP is an effective method to teach the procedural skill of intubation with an emphasis on procedural choreography. RCDP could be an appropriate method for debriefing learners in procedural skills training in this population.
RESUMO
Atlanto-axial subluxation is a rare but potentially serious complication after otolaryngological procedures. We are describing a case of a 4-year-old child who developed atlanto-axial subluxation of the cervical spine after adenoidectomy. Our patient underwent adenoidectomy and, 18 days later, presented to the emergency department with her neck tilted to the left in a cock-robin position and complaining of neck pain persisting since the surgery. A multiplanar 3-dimensional computed tomography was obtained and confirmed the diagnosis of an atlanto-axial subluxation (Fielding type 3). She was managed conservatively with the application of a cervical collar, anti-inflammatory medication, and manual reduction under anesthesia later in the course because of persistence of her symptoms. It is important to consider this diagnosis in any child who undergoes ENT surgical procedures complaining of neck pain subsequent to surgery or holding the head in a fixed position persistently after surgery. Early diagnosis is important to reduce the time between the onset of symptoms and reduction to reduce the risk or need for surgical intervention.
