Laryngoscopy for Neonatal and Infant Airway Management wIth Supplemental Oxygen at Different Flow Rates (OPTIMISE-2): a Multi-center, Non-inferiority, Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Eligible children will be prepared for intubation according to the local SOPs of the pediatric anesthesia departments. Mandatory monitoring will consist of: SpO2, HR, NIBP.

Induction of anesthesia: If feasible, all children included in this protocol will be pre-oxygenated before induction of anesthesia for one minute through face-mask with FiO2 1.0 and flow rates of 6-10L/min. The induction of anesthesia for tracheal intubation will be performed using a combination of sedative/hypnotic drugs, opioids and non-depolarizing muscle relaxant.

The following medications will be mandatory as per protocol:

• A neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA): Rocuronium 0.5-1 mg/kg, Cis-Atracurium 0.2-0.5 mg/kg, Atracurium 0,5 mg/kg, Vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg, Mivacurium 0.2 - 0.3 mg/kg or Succinylcholine 2 mg/kg.
• One or more of the following hypnotic agents (Thiopentone 4-7 mg/kg, Ketamine 0.5-2 mg/kg, Propofol 1-4 mg/kg, Midazolam 0.5-1 mg/kg, Sevoflurane up to 8%).
• An opioid drug and anticholinergic can be chosen and administered at the discretion of the anesthetist in charge.

Before intubation: After induction of anesthesia and the administration of a NMBA, bag-mask ventilation with FiO2 1.0 (flow rates of 6-10 L/min) will be performed for 60 seconds until apnea sets in. After induction all patients will be paralyzed to facilitate airway management. Full neuromuscular blockade will be assessed by train-of-four (TOF) monitoring. Thereafter oxygen administration, laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are performed.