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A quantitative evaluation of aerosol generation from upper airway suctioning during tracheal intubation and extubation sequences.

Background: Open respiratory suctioning is considered to be an aerosol generating procedure (AGP) and laryngopharyngeal suction, used to clear secretions during anaesthesia, is widely managed as an AGP. It is uncertain whether such upper airway suctioning should be designated an aerosol generating procedure (AGP) because of a lack of both aerosol and epidemiological evidence of risk. Aim: To assess the relative risk of aerosol generation by upper airway suction during tracheal intubation and extubation in anaesthetised patients. Methods: Prospective environmental monitoring study in ultraclean operating theatres to assay aerosol concentration during intubation and extubation sequences including upper airway suctioning for patients undergoing surgery (n=19 patients). An Optical Particle Sizer (particle size 300nm-10m) was used to sample aerosol 20cm above the mouth of the patient. Baseline recordings (background, tidal breathing and volitional coughs) were followed by intravenous induction of anaesthesia with neuromuscular blockade. Four periods of oropharyngeal suction were performed with a Yankauer sucker: pre-laryngoscopy, post-intubation and pre- and post-extubation. Findings: Aerosol from breathing was reliably detected (65[39-259] particles.L-1 (median[IQR])) above background (4.8[1-7] particles.L-1, p<0.0001 Friedman). The procedure of upper airway suction was associated with much lower average concentrations of aerosol than breathing (6.0[0-12] particles.L-1, P=0.0007) and was indistinguishable from background (P>0.99). The peak aerosol concentration recorded during suctioning (45[30-75] particles.L-1) was much lower than both volitional coughs (1520[600-4363] particles.L-1, p<0.0001, Friedman) and tidal breathing (540[300-1826] particles.L-1, p<0.0001, Friedman). Conclusion: The procedure of upper airway suction during airway management is associated with no higher concentration of aerosol than background and much lower than breathing and coughing. Upper airway suction should not be designated as a high risk AGP.