Learning curve of skilled anesthesiologists for endotracheal intubation using Optiscope™

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Optiscope™ is a semi-rigid fiberscope for endotracheal intubation. A camera attached to the distal end of the stylet shows the laryngeal view through an adjustable LCD-monitor attached at the handle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the learning curve of skilled anesthesiologists in the use of Optiscope™. METHODS: Eighty-patients with normal airways were randomly assigned to four anesthesiologists, who did not have previous experience of intubation with Optiscope™. After induction of general anesthesia, the four investigators performed 20 intubations each, using the Optiscope™. Time to intubation (TTI), number of intubation attempts, and reasons of prolonged TTI were evaluated. RESULTS: The success rate of intubation was 98.8%. The TTI was significantly faster in 16th–20th patients (35.0 s, interquartile range 27.3–41.4) than in the first 10 patients (54.1 s, interquartile range 31.2–75.5) (P = 0.006). All patients after the 16th intubation were intubated at the first attempt. Frequent problems encountered were difficulty in getting the stylet tip under the epiglottis, and mucous secretion obscuring the laryngeal anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: Optiscope™ is an effective device for endotracheal intubation. About 15 intubations in patients with normal airways provided clinically adequate experience to the skilled anesthesiologists. Additional maneuver of airway opening such as jaw thrust and sufficient removal of oral secretion, are suggested to reduce TTI.