RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Airflow efficacy of ballpoint pen tubes: a consideration for use in bystander cricothyrotomy
JF Emergency Medicine Journal
JO Emerg Med J
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine
SP 317
OP 320
DO 10.1136/emj.2008.069294
VO 27
IS 4
A1 Owens, David
A1 Greenwood, Ben
A1 Galley, Alistair
A1 Tomkinson, Alun
A1 Woolley, Sarah
YR 2010
UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/27/4/317.abstract
AB Objective To examine the suitability of commonly available ballpoint pens as a substitute emergency tracheostomy tube.Methods commonly available ballpoint pens were examined and compared against two standard cricothyroidotomy sets. The pens were evaluated for dimensions, speed of construction of a temporary tracheostomy tube and airway resistance with differing flow rates.Results Internal diameters of the pens varied considerably. Time taken to construct a temporary tube ranged from 3 to 170 s, and in the majority of pens the airway resistance increased dramatically as the airflow rate increased.Conclusion Contrary to popular belief, the majority of ballpoint pens appear unsuitable for use as a substitute tracheostomy tube. In this study only two pens fulfilled the criteria for use: the Baron retractable ballpoint and the BIC soft feel Jumbo.