Bronchoscopic Versus Airway Exchange Catheter-Guided Endotracheal Tube Exchange

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Endotracheal Tube Exchange, Airway Management, Endotracheal Intubation, Reintubation

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07706309

Run by

Léo Franchetti

People needed

2

Starts

2026-07-10

Expected to finish

2026-07-10

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-15

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 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.

You may not qualify if…

• 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.

Where it is running

• Unversity Hospital of Basel — Basel, Switzerland (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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