A comparative study of tracheal intubation characteristics using Macintosh and Airtraq laryngoscope.

Background: Direct laryngoscopy for endotracheal intubation with the Macintosh blade is most commonly used for establishing a patent airway. AirtraqTm Optical Laryngoscope, does not require the alignment of the 3 airway axes for glottic visualization. Objective: We aim to compare these two laryngoscopes in view of laryngoscopic grading, ease of tracheal intubation and hemodynamic changes associated with laryngoscopy and intubation. Materials and Methods: 50 ASA I and II patients were randomly divided into Macintosh (M) group and Airtraq (A) group. Cormack Lehane grading, ease of intubation, laryngeal intubation time in secs and incidence of sore throat was noted. HR & BP was recorded at 0, 1, 3, 5 & 10 minutes following intubation. Unpaired ‘t’ test compared inter-group data, while paired ‘t’ test compared within group cardiovascular data. (p<0.05 statistically significant) Results: The demographic data of both groups were comparable. Cormack- Lehane grading was better in group A than in group M [grade I group A(84%) and group M(60%)]. The mean time for laryngeal intubation (Mean ± SD) for group A (8.3 ± 4.6 secs) and group M (20.46 ± 6.6 secs) (t = 7.6, p< 0.01). Ease of intubation was better in group A than group M. The rise in blood pressure and heart rate was significantly less in Group A as compared to Group M. Conclusion: Airtraq laryngoscope was superior to Macintosh laryngoscope as it provided better laryngoscopic views, shorter laryngoscopy and intubation time, easier intubation and the rise in heart rate and systolic blood pressure was significantly less.

Comparison of students' learning curves between Macintosh laryngoscope and Airtraq laryngoscope in endotracheal intubation / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective To compare medical students' learning curve between Macintosh laryngoscope and optical laryngoscope in endotracheal intubation and to decide which one is more suitable for novice personnel.Methods Totally 26 interns after being trained by experienced anesthesiologists were enrolled in this study.They performed intubation on 6 patients by using both Macintosh laryngoscope and optical laryngoscope ( each laryngoscope for 3 patients) under the supervision of experienced anesthesiologists.The sequence of laryngoscope was determined by computer-generated random number list.Results Totally 149 patients who were ready to receive surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized crossover controlled study.Duration of intubation was significantly shorter in Airtraq group (78 -± 33 ) s than in Macintosh group (114 ± 32) s,P ＜ 0.001.Intubation success rate was significantly higher in Airtraq group than in Macintosh group ( 87.8％ vs.66.7％,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions With the advantages of rapid learning curve,higher intubation success rate and shorter intubation duration,Airtraq laryngoscope is easier to master for novice personnel.

Study on the effectiveness of Airtraq laryngoscope combined with a Bougie for tracheal intubation / 中国医师进修杂志

ObjectiveTo compare and evaluate the effectiveness of Airtraq laryngoscope combined with a Bougie and Airtraq laryngoscope alone for tracheal intubation in simulated difficult airway.Methods Four anesthetists and 4 clinical physicians of standardized training were enrolled in the study.The participants intubated the trachea of the ALS simulator manikin in 5 tongue edema scenarios simulating modified Cormack-Lehane grade 1,2a,2b,3,and 4 views and 1 cervical immobilization scenario.Results No significant difference in the rate of successful intubation was detected between two techniques(P＞ 0.05 ).In Cormack-Lehane grade 1,2a views,the duration of successful intubation in Airtraq laryngoscope alone [ ( 14.3 ± 1.3),( 17.1 ± 2.9) s] was shorter than that in Airtraq laryngoscope combined with a Bougie [ (26.6 ± 3.8),(36.4 ± 3.6) s ] with significant difference (P ＜ 0.01 ).Cormack-Lehane grade 2b,3,4 views,the duration of successful intubation in Airtraq laryngoscope alone[ (74.5 ± 6.5 ),(116.3 ± 9.8),(53.0 ± 6.1 )s] was longer than that in Airtraq laryngoscope combined with a Bougie [ (35.4 ± 4.3 ),(52.3 ± 5.0),(40.4 ± 3.8 ) s ] with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionAirtraq laryngoscope combined with a Bougie can be quickly intubated in simulated difficult airway compared with Airtraq laryngoscope alone.