Effect of Bougie Use on First-Attempt Success in Tracheal Intubations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Methodology: 4/5
Usefulness: 3/5

von Hellmann R, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2024 Feb;83(2):132-144.

Question and Methods: Systematic review of 18 studies (12 RCT) of adult patients comparing bougie use vs standard of care in tracheal intubations to evaluate first-attempt success.
Findings: Bougie was associated with increased first-attempt intubation success overall (RR 1.11 95%CI 1.06 – 1.17, low certainty), and across all subgroups with similar point estimates.
Limitations: Hyper-angulated GlideScope excluded, unclear level of training/provider specialty/setting of intubation, English/Spanish only, multiple unclear or high risk of bias, 85% heterogeneity I2 statistic

Interpretation: Emergency physicians should consider bougie as the first-line for endotracheal intubation based on personal and local circumstances.

Dr. Sam Wilson

JC Supervisor: Dr. Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy

Authors

Sam Wilson

Dr. Wilson (Sam) is a first-year Emergency Medicine FRCPC resident at The Ottawa Hospital. Aside from EMOttawa, Sam works as the CanadiEM CJEM Infographic editor, and is interested in PoCUS, medical teaching, knowledge dissemination, and all things chess.
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Hans Rosenberg

Dr. Rosenberg is an emergency physician at the Ottawa Hospital, associate professor at the University of Ottawa, and Director of the Digital Scholarship and Knowledge Dissemination Program.
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Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy

Dr. Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy is an attending physician and associate scientist at the Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute with an particular interest in syncope and presyncope care.
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