Removal of foreign body airway obstruction: A systematic review of interventions.

OBJECTIVE To summarise in a systematic review the effectiveness of interventions to treat foreign body airway obstructions (FBAO). METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library from inception on 30 September 2019 for studies that described the effectiveness of interventions to treat FBAO in adults and children. We included randomised controlled trials, observational studies and case series (≥5 cases) that described evidence of benefit. For evidence of harm/complications, we included case reports. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted study data, and assessed risk of bias. Data are summarised in a narrative synthesis. The GRADE system is used to assess evidence certainty. RESULTS We included 69 publications, comprising three cross-sectional studies (557 patients); eight case series (755 patients), and 59 were case reports (64 patients). One paper was included as a case series and cross-sectional study. For all interventions and associated outcomes, evidence certainty was very low. Early removal of FBAO by bystanders was associated with improved neurological survival (odds ratio 6.0, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 23.4). Identified evidence showed that key interventions (back blows, abdominal thrusts, chest thrusts/compressions, Magill forceps, manual removal of obstructions from the mouth, suction-based airway clearance devices) are effective in relieving FBAO. We identified reports of harm in relation to back blows, abdominal thrusts, chest thrusts/compressions, and blind finger sweeps. CONCLUSIONS Key interventions successfully relieve FBAO, but may be associated with important harms. Guidelines for FBAO management should balance the benefits and harms of interventions

Abstracts of the 3rd Annual Graduate Entry Research in Medicine Conference

This book contains the abstracts of the papers presented at The 3rd Annual Graduate Entry Research in Medicine Conference (GERMCON 2020) Organized by Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick in collaboration with Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Wales, UK held on 12–18 October 2020. This was especially important for Graduate Entry Medical (GEM) students, who have less opportunity and time to engage in research due to their accelerated medical degree. Conference Title: 3rd Annual Graduate Entry Research in Medicine ConferenceConference Acronym: GERMCON 2020Conference Date: 12–18 October 2020Conference Location: Online (Virtual Mode)Conference Organizer: Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, UKCo-organizer: Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Wales, UK Other Abstract Book of GERMCON: Abstracts of the 4th Annual Graduate Entry Research in Medicine Conferenc