Background: Trauma resuscitation skills are an essential part of medical training. Airway management skills are often learned via simulation-based training, but physical distancing restrictions have forced medical schools to transition their preclinical curricula to a virtual format. A wearable, point-of-view (POV), live streaming tool was piloted in a virtual airway management workshop to preclinical medical students to address limitations in the standard online curriculum. Methods: An anesthesiologist instructor donned a chest-mounted smartphone that captured POV video as it was connected to a Zoom video conference call. Simultaneously, a second camera view from a different angle was streamed from a laptop webcam. Preclinical medical student attendees watched the facilitator demonstrate airway management and resuscitation skills on a simulation mannequin. Student perceptions of the workshop were assessed via standardised course evaluations administered through the online student portal and a questionnaire distributed by the course representative. Results: Qualitative and quantitative course evaluation data showed that although this platform may not completely substitute in-person learning, students appreciated the alternative teaching style, particularly the use of POV video and multiple camera views. Generally, students believed that the learning objectives were achieved. Camera stability, camera positioning, and the distracting nature of the virtual student-instructor interactions were identified as areas for improvement. Conclusions: Moving forward, this innovative workshop format can act as a valuable framework for other institutions that wish to bridge gaps in current virtual education methods and enhance technical skills training in medical learners.

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IntroductionPolytrauma often results in significant hypoxemia secondary to direct lung contusion or indirectly through atelectasis, systemic inflammatory response, large volume fluid resuscitation and blood product transfusion. In addition to causing hypoxemia, atelectasis and acute lung injury can lead to right ventricular failure through an acute increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Mechanical ventilation is often applied, accompanied with recruitment maneuvers and positive end-expiratory pressure in order to recruit alveoli and reverse atelectasis, while preventing excessive alveolar damage. This strategy should lead to the reversal of the hypoxemic condition and the detrimental heart–lung interaction that may occur. However, as described in this case report, hemodynamic instability and intractable alveolar atelectasis sometimes do not respond to conventional ventilation strategies.Case presentationWe describe the case of a 21-year-old Caucasian man with severe chest trauma requiring surgical interventions, who developed refractory hypoxemia and overt right ventricular failure. After multiple failed attempts of recruitment using conventional ventilation, the patient was ventilated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. This mode of ventilation allowed the reversal of the hemodynamic effects of severe hypoxemia and of the acute cor pulmonale. We use this case report to describe the physiological advantages of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in patients with chest trauma, and formulate the arguments to explain the positive effect observed in our patient.ConclusionsHigh-frequency oscillatory ventilation can be used in the context of a blunt chest trauma accompanied by severe hypoxemia due to atelectasis. The positive effect is due to its capacity to recruit the collapsed alveoli and, as a result, the relief of increased pulmonary vascular resistance and subsequently the reversal of acute cor pulmonale. This approach may represent an alternative in case of failure of the conventional ventilation strategy.