A single-centre case series assessing the Ambu(®) aScope™ 2 for percutaneous tracheostomies: A viable alternative to fibreoptic bronchoscopes

BACKGROUND: Bronchoscope-assisted bedside percutaneous tracheostomy is increasingly common in the intensive care unit (ICU). Fiberoptic bronchoscopes (FOBs) are expensive, fragile and may be damaged in the busy ICU environment. The Ambu(®) aScope™ 2 is a disposable video bronchoscope with no suction port that may be an alternative. METHODS: The present analysis was a single-centre, prospective, quality improvement series substitution of Ambu(®) aScope™ 2 for FOB during percutaneous bedside tracheostomy with a FOB readily available. Physicians could elect not to use the Ambu(®) aScope™ 2. RESULTS: The Ambu® aScope™ 2 was used in 22 of 30 percutaneous bedside tracheostomies between September 9, 2012 and January 3, 2013. One conversion to an FOB occurred during the 22 procedures due to bleeding, resulting in a convfersion rate of approximately 5%. The rate of completion of the postprocedure questionnaire was 73% (16 of 22), with a mean ‘ease of use’ score of 8.19/10 (range 6/10 to 10/10) and a mean ‘visualization’ score of 6.1/10 (range 2/10 to 10/10). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Ambu® aScope™ 2 was a reasonable alternative to FOB in a selected group of patients for bedside ICU PDT. Use of this new disposable scope will depend on local factors, processing delays and cost.