Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange (THRIVE) to ventilate paediatric patients undergoing microlyngoscopy and bronchoscopy

Safer operating ways for children undergoing complicated airway operations

Clinician: Dr Paul Baker, Starship Paediatric Anaesthesiology

What: This research is aimed at reducing the risk of oxygen deprivation, in children undergoing diagnostic procedures for suspected airway disease.

Who: Children with suspected airway disease undergoing microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (MLB). This is planned as a joint investigation between Starship Children's Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.   

How: This world leading paediatric study will build on recent ground breaking use of high flow humidified oxygen in adult surgery. The study will investigate the effectiveness of THRIVE (Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilator Exchange) in reducing the incidence and severity of potentially damaging or life threatening oxygen desaturation events during paediatric microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy; diagnostic procedures, carried out under anaesthesia, to check for suspected airway disease.

Why: Airway operations are risky, with the possibility of low oxygenation. This study has the potential to make such operations safer. It will also provide anaesthesiologists with valuable information about delivering oxygen in other 'touch and go' situations for children with severely compromised breathing.