Front-of-neck airway rescue with impalpable anatomy during a simulated cannot intubate cannot oxygenate scenario: scalpel–finger–cannula versus scalpel–finger–bougie in a sheep model

Background: Front-of-neck airway rescue in a cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate (CICO) scenario with impalpable anatomy is particularly challenging. Several techniques have been described based on a midline vertical neck incision with subsequent finger dissection, followed by either a cannula or scalpel puncture of the now palpated airway. We explored whether the speed of rescue oxygenation differs between these techniques. Methods: In a high-fidelity simulation of a CICO scenario in anaesthetised Merino sheep with impalpable front-of-neck anatomy, 35 consecutive eligible participants undergoing airway training performed scalpel–finger–cannula and scalpel–finger–bougie in a random order. The primary outcome was time from airway palpation to first oxygen delivery. Data, were analysed with Cox proportional hazards. Results: Scalpel–finger–cannula was associated with shorter time to first oxygen delivery on univariate (hazard ratio [HR]=11.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.14–25.13; P<0.001) and multivariate (HR=8.87; 95% CI, 4.31–18.18; P<0.001) analyses. In the multivariable model, consultant grade was also associated with quicker first oxygen delivery compared with registrar grade (HR=3.28; 95% CI, 1.36–7.95; P=0.008). With scalpel–finger–cannula, successful oxygen delivery within 3 min of CICO declaration and ≤2 attempts was more frequent; 97% vs 63%, P<0.001. In analyses of successful cases only, scalpel–finger–cannula resulted in earlier improvement in arterial oxygen saturations (–25 s; 95% CI, –35 to –15; P<0.001), but a longer time to first capnography reading (+89 s; 95% CI, 69 to 110; P<0.001). No major complications occurred in either arm. Conclusions: The scalpel–finger–cannula technique was associated with superior oxygen delivery performance during a simulated CICO scenario in sheep with impalpable front-of-neck anatomy

Rethinking HIV prevention to prepare for oral PrEP implementation for young African women

Introduction: HIV incidence remains high among young women in sub-Saharan Africa in spite of scale-up of HIV testing, behavioural interventions, antiretroviral treatment and medical male circumcision. There is a critical need to critique past approaches and learn about the most effective implementation of evidence-based HIV prevention strategies, particularly emerging interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Discussion Women in sub-Saharan Africa are at increased risk of HIV during adolescence and into their 20s, in part due to contextual factors including gender norms and relationship dynamics, and limited access to reproductive and sexual health services. We reviewed behavioural, behavioural economic and biomedical approaches to HIV prevention for young African women, with a particular focus on the barriers, opportunities and implications for implementing PrEP in this group. Behavioural interventions have had limited impact in part due to not effectively addressing the context, broader sexual norms and expectations, and structural factors that increase risk and vulnerability. Of biomedical HIV prevention strategies that have been tested, daily oral PrEP has the greatest evidence for protection, although adherence was low in two placebo-controlled trials in young African women. Given high efficacy and effectiveness in other populations, demonstration projects of open-label PrEP in young African women are needed to determine the most effective delivery models and whether women at substantial risk are motivated and able to use oral PrEP with sufficient adherence to achieve HIV prevention benefits. Conclusions: Social marketing, adherence support and behavioural economic interventions should be evaluated as part of PrEP demonstration projects among young African women in terms of their effectiveness in increasing demand and optimizing uptake and effective use of PrEP. Lessons learned through evaluations of implementation strategies for delivering oral PrEP, a first-generation biomedical HIV prevention product, will inform development of new and less user-dependent PrEP formulations and delivery of an expanding choice of prevention options in HIV prevention programmes for young African women