A Novel Approach to Cadaver‐Based Soiled Airway Simulation

Effective management of heavily soiled airways is a critical and challenging skill across multiple clinical settings. Existing training methods rely largely on manikin-based simulators, which often lack sufficient anatomical realism and haptic fidelity. Here, we describe a novel, low-cost, and practical technique for simulating soiled airways in clinical-grade cadavers. The method employs readily available equipment, including a bougie, Foley catheter, and continuous bladder irrigation system, to rapidly deliver simulated bloody emesis into the proximal esophagus and oropharynx. This technique was successfully implemented on nine clinical-grade cadavers during emergency medicine (EM) and anesthesiology physician airway training sessions. All surveyed instructors reported marked improvements in realism and haptic fidelity compared with traditional manikin-based approaches, and no adverse events occurred during cadaver preparation or course delivery. This novel, cadaver-based soiled airway simulation technique offers a practical and reproducible approach to enhance soiled airway education and research.

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Publication Details

Journal
AEM Education and Training
Published
2026-05-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aet2.70182
Primary Topic
Airway Management and Intubation Techniques
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A Novel Approach to Cadaver‐Based Soiled Airway Simulation

S E Hurley, Patricia Marks, Adam Parks, James Gould
AEM Education and Training
Airway Management and Intubation Techniques
article

A Novel Approach to Cadaver‐Based Soiled Airway Simulation

S E Hurley, Patricia Marks, Adam Parks, James Gould
article en

Abstract

Effective management of heavily soiled airways is a critical and challenging skill across multiple clinical settings. Existing training methods rely largely on manikin-based simulators, which often lack sufficient anatomical realism and haptic fidelity. Here, we describe a novel, low-cost, and practical technique for simulating soiled airways in clinical-grade cadavers. The method employs readily available equipment, including a bougie, Foley catheter, and continuous bladder irrigation system, to rapidly deliver simulated bloody emesis into the proximal esophagus and oropharynx. This technique was successfully implemented on nine clinical-grade cadavers during emergency medicine (EM) and anesthesiology physician airway training sessions. All surveyed instructors reported marked improvements in realism and haptic fidelity compared with traditional manikin-based approaches, and no adverse events occurred during cadaver preparation or course delivery. This novel, cadaver-based soiled airway simulation technique offers a practical and reproducible approach to enhance soiled airway education and research.

AEM Education and TrainingVol. 10(3)
Dalhousie University (CA), University of British Columbia (CA)
QEII Foundation
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Airway Management and Intubation Techniques
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