Guidelines on strategies for the universal implementation of videolaryngoscopy

Abstract

Objective: The Airway Section of the Spanish Society of Anaesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Pain Therapy (SEDAR), the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES), the Latin American Federation of Emergency Medicine (FLAME) and an international group of airway experts (IAG) aimed to establish multidisciplinary recommendations advocating for the universal use of videolaryngoscopy (VL) in both emergency and planned care settings.

Design: A committee of experts from the two national scientific societies and an international group of airway experts was convened. Relevant research questions aligning with the document's objective were identified. A rapid systematic review of the evidence was performed, and the quality of evidence was assessed. Recommendations were formulated using the GRADE methodology (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) The entire process was conducted independently of industry funding.

Methods: Six domains were defined pertaining to VL: Clinical Benefits; Infrastructure and Accessibility; Clinical Guidelines and Protocols; Teaching and Clinical Training; Dissemination and Promotion of Clinical Benefits; Innovation, Sustainability, and Research. For each domain, specific questions were developed using the PICO model (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes). A literature search was conducted following PRISMA-R guidelines and analysed using the GRADE methodology.

Results: The synthesis process resulted in 12 recommendations. Due to the low quality of available evidence, most recommendations were formulated based on expert opinion.

Conclusion: The experts achieved strong consensus, formulating 12 recommendations to support strategies aimed at universalising the use of videolaryngoscopy.