Cervical Spine Movement and Ease of Intubation Using Truview or McCoy Laryngoscope in Difficult Intubation.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, observational, analytical, randomized control trial. OBJECTIVE: To compare cervical spine movement for best laryngoscopic view and ease of intubation using Truview or McCoy laryngoscope in anticipated difficult intubation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The addition of modified laryngoscope blade to the anesthesiologist's armamentarium adds flexibility and improves the skill of the anesthetist, which benefits the patients. METHODS: One hundred patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists status I and II with predicted difficult intubation score ≥5 were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 50): intubation done with McCoy laryngoscope and Group B (n = 50): intubation done with Truview laryngoscope and compared for the ease of intubation using intubation difficulty scale (IDS), cervical spine movement, and hemodynamic alterations. RESULTS: The total IDS determining the ease of tracheal intubation was better in Group B than Group A. On comparing the variables of IDS score, there was no difference between the two groups except 14 (28%) patients in Group A required application of external laryngeal pressure, whereas only five (10%) patients had this difficulty in Group B. It was seen that craniocervical extension was significantly less (2.5 times) in Group B as compared to Group A. CONCLUSION: In anticipated difficult intubation, Truview improves the laryngeal view, causes less movement at cervical spine, which could be more helpful in patients with restricted neck mobility, and has lesser complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Current understanding of the literate versus illiterate patient's knowledge about anesthesiologists: A comparative study.

CONTEXT: There is a widespread ignorance among the public about the role of anesthesiologists and their responsibilities inside or outside the operating room both in developed and developing countries. AIMS: The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge of literate and illiterate patient about the role of anesthesiologists and their concerns regarding anesthesiology. SETTING AND DESIGN: This is a prospective study conducted in a preoperative anesthetic clinic of a large tertiary care hospital. The study consisted of a standard preanesthetic interview and questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining permission from the Ethics committee, patients in the age group 18-75 years of either sex undergoing elective surgery were included. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of their education: Group A: included patient who are illiterate; Group B: included patients who are literate, completed a questionnaire, which was later evaluated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Unpaired t test and correlation r test were used. RESULTS: There was limited knowledge among both literates and illiterates regarding the perioperative role of anesthesiologists. They wanted to be fully explained about the anesthesiology technique and were keen to meet their anesthesiologist both before and after the surgery. CONCLUSION: To eliminate the ignorance among general public regarding the role of anesthesiologists, efforts must be made to educate and generate awareness among the population.