SEALion: a Study on the Effectiveness of Additional Oxygenation in Little Children During Intubation Using Oxygenation Delivered by Nasal Cannula
Tracheal intubation in neonates can be technically challenging, even for experienced pediatric anesthesiologists, with a high first-attempt success rate crucial to ensure safety. Intubation, while life-saving for children with circulatory shock or respiratory failure, carries risks of severe desaturation that can lead to hypoxic encephalopathy, cardiac arrest, or death. Neonates, especially, are prone to hypoxemia due to high oxygen consumption, low functional residual capacity, small closing capacity, and increased risk of airway collapse, which is exacerbated under anesthesia and neuromuscular paralysis. Rapid desaturation occurs after cessation of ventilation, with neonates facing shorter apnea times before desaturation. Studies show that about two-thirds of neonates undergoing non-emergency nasotracheal intubation experience desaturation (SpO₂ \<80% for over 60 seconds), although low-flow oxygen supplementation (0.2 L/kg/min) can extend safe apnea time. This study aims to investigate apneic oxygenation with VL (using Miller or Macintosh blades size 0 or 1) in operating rooms or intensive care units. We hypothesize that supplemental oxygen and standardized VL use will improve first-pass success rates and reduce adverse events.
• Pediatric patients requiring oral or nasal tracheal intubation for elective, semi-elective, or urgent surgical and non-surgical procedures.
• Neonates and infants up to 52 weeks post-conceptual age.
• Written informed consent provided by legal guardians prior to the intervention.