COMPARISON OF THREE DIFFERENT OT TABLE HEIGHT FOR INTUBATION IN TRAINEES— AN ERGONOMICS VIEW

Abstract

Background

Specific postures and practitioner ergonomics are not universally defined within intubation training. No particular landmark is there that indicate at what level patient’s head should be during intubation. The aim was to evaluate the effect of different OT table height on intubation time, success rate, and laryngeal view grading and posture discomfort. We decided to understand physical ergonomics of successful laryngoscopy posture and to improve trainees’ learning curve.

Methods

Seventy five patients divided into three groups according to patient’s forehead at the level of intubator’s nipple line (group N), xiphisternum (group X) and umbilicus (group U). An observation for intubation time, success rate, discomfort in ventilation & intubation and posture was made.  From left sided photographs- neck & knee flexion angle, distance from intubator’s eye to heel of scope (cm) was noted.

Results

Table height at nipple level makes intubation less time consuming (p= 0.001) and with ergonomically erect posture and better laryngeal view. Distance from trainee’s eyes to heel of scope was more in group N (p value < 0.001). Trainees tended to crouch towards patient’s mouth with bended posture in group U and group X than group N.

Conclusion

Higher OT table height can provide much better laryngeal view in erect posture with less discomfort and less time consuming intubation. Trainees must be taught and prefer to set OT table height at nipple level making them erect and comfortable in posture.