Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy Airway Decontamination

This video captures the important lessons of a simulation session based upon using a rigid suction catheter (Yankauer and other variant) to decontaminate the airway of a modified manikin. The technique described in this simulation is known as the "SALAD" technique: Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy Airway Decontamination.

The central tenet of the SALAD technique is to make the rigid suction catheter the "tent-pole" of airway management—the suction catheter is utilized in all phases of laryngoscopy to facilitate the quick and proper placement of the laryngoscope blade on the first pass attempt, in lieu of older methods such as opening the patient's mouth with a scissor-type gesture of the right forefinger and thumb. The result is speed and efficiency coupled with the ability to decontaminate the airway during routine and emergency airway management.

In this same manner, the SALAD method can facilitate the insertion of supraglottic airways as well, including the laryngeal tube. Modern suction catheters beyond standard hospital-issued Yankauer suctions are discussed and demonstrated, as well as portable suction systems demonstrated.