Cadaveric emergency cricothyrotomy training for non-surgeons using a bronchoscopy-enhanced curriculum

Emergency cricothyrotomy training for non-surgeons is important as rare "cannot intubate or oxygenate events" may occur multiple times in a provider's career when surgical expertise is not immediately available. However, such training is highly variable and often infrequent, therefore, enhancing these experiences is important. Is bronchoscopy-enhanced cricothyrotomy training in cadavers feasible, and what are the potential benefits provided by this innovation for trainees? This study was performed during implementation of a new program to train non-surgeon providers on cadaveric donors on our campus. Standard training with an instructional video and live coaching was enhanced by bronchoscopic visualization of the trachea allowing participants to review their technique after performing scalpel and Seldinger-technique procedures, and to review their colleagues' technique on live video. Feasibility was measured through assessing helpfulness for trainees, cost, setup time, quality of images, and operator needs. Footage from the bronchoscopy recordings was analyzed to assess puncture-to-tube time, safety errors, and evidence for a training effect within groups. Participants submitted pre- and post-session surveys assessing their levels of experience and gauging their confidence and anxiety with cricothyrotomies. The training program met feasibility criteria for low costs (