Comparison of the Effectiveness and Comfort Level of Two Commonly Used Mask Ventilation Techniques in a Simulated Model

BACKGROUND: Mask ventilation is an important rescue airway skill for providing oxygenation and ventilation. Maintaining a good face mask seal is a fundamental factor for successful ventilation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and comfortability of 2 commonly used mask ventilation techniques.

METHODS: A randomized crossover study was performed to compare the 2-handed C-E and 2-handed V-E techniques on a simulation model. Respiratory therapists were recruited by convenience sampling to hold the mask during mechanical ventilation with a fixed tidal volume (V_T) of 50 mL, a rate of 12 breaths/min and a PEEP of zero were provided. Each participant performed a 2-min ventilation session, with a total of 24 breaths for each technique. For each technique, we recorded the median V_T and the number of successful breaths (≥300 mL). Provider comfort was assessed by using a 5-point Likert scale at the end of the 2 techniques. Subgroup analyses were conducted for sex, experience, and height of the participants.

RESULTS: Of the 75 respiratory therapists recruited, 74 participants were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the median V_T between the V-E (417 mL [interquartile range, 396–427] mL) and C-E techniques (410 [interquartile range, 391–423] mL) (P = .82). Approximately 74% of breaths delivered by the C-E technique were effective, whereas only 68% of those delivered by the V-E technique were effective (P < .001). Most of the participants reported that using the 2-handed C-E technique was more comfortable.

CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the median V_T did not differ significantly between the 2 techniques. However, the C-E technique seemed to be superior to the V-E technique in terms of the number of effectively delivered breaths and comfortability. Further studies are recommended for basic airway management techniques.