Emergency tracheal intubation of patients lying supine on the ground: influence of operator body position.

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of operator body position during emergency intubation of patients lying on the ground. METHODS This study was carried out in the prehospital setting by French mobile intensive care units. Two operator body positions (left lateral decubitus and kneeling) for emergency intubation of patients lying supine on the ground were compared in a observational prospective study. Each operator completed a questionnaire regarding conditions of intubation after patient completion. RESULTS The incidence of laryngoscopic difficulty was lower in the left lateral decubitus group compared to the kneeling group (11.1% vs 26.9% respectively; P < 0.01). The number of attempts required for successful intubation was (P < 0.05) higher in the kneeling group than in the left lateral decubitus group. CONCLUSION Emergency tracheal intubation of supine patients on the ground may be greatly facilitated by the use of the left lateral decubitus position of the operator.