Bronchoscopic Versus Airway Exchange Catheter-Guided Endotracheal Tube Exchange
Switzerland2 participantsStarted 2026-07-10
Plain-language summary
This prospective experimental study compares two methods for replacing an endotracheal tube in Thiel-embalmed body donors. The conventional method uses an airway exchange catheter based on the Seldinger technique, whereas the investigational method uses a flexible bronchoscope to provide direct visual guidance throughout the exchange.
The primary outcome is the duration of interrupted ventilation, measured from cessation of ventilation until ventilation is resumed through a correctly positioned replacement tube. Secondary outcomes include unsuccessful tube exchange requiring complete reintubation, duration of individual procedural steps, procedures lasting more than 60 seconds, use of additional rescue equipment, and unforeseen technical difficulties.
Both techniques will be performed in two Thiel-embalmed donated human bodies using an alternating sequence. Four experienced physicians will perform 40 tube exchanges per technique, resulting in a total of 80 procedures.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Human body donor preserved using the Thiel embalming method.
* Intact trachea without relevant postmortem or preparation-related lesions.
* Documented consent for scientific use of the body and confirmation of anatomical suitability by the Institute of Anatomy.
* Sufficient mobility of the neck, jaw, and laryngeal region to permit realistic tube-exchange maneuvers.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Tumor or stenosis involving the larynx, trachea, or central airways.
* Previous surgery or radiotherapy involving the larynx or oral cavity.
* Previous pneumonectomy.
* Previous tracheotomy or laryngectomy.
* Inability to achieve safe or standardized positioning of the cadaver.
* Incomplete consent documentation or unclear provenance.
* Preservation using a fixation method other than the Thiel method.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Ventilation interruption time during endotracheal tube exchange
Timeframe: During each tube-exchange procedure, from ventilation interruption to resumption (expected duration less than 5 minutes).