Trainee presence during endobronchial ultrasound increases complications

The presence of a trainee during endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) may have negative implications, including increased procedure time and complications.

Researchers from the University of Calgary retrospectively reviewed 607 EBUS procedures, of which a trainee was present for 512.

Significant differences were seen when a trainee was present vs when no trainee was present for procedure length (58.32 vs 37.69 min) and for the dose of propofol used (178.28 vs 137.11 mg).

In addition, more complications were seen in the trainee group (24 vs 1).

This study was presented during CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, held October 20 – 25, in Atlanta, Georgia.