A comparison of the Bullard laryngoscope versus the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope during intubation in patients afforded inline stabilization.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the Bullard laryngoscope (BL) with the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (FFB) in a cervical spine injury model, using inline stabilization.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Main operating room of a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
50 adult, ASA physical status I, II, and III patients undergoing an elective general anesthetic.


METHODS
Each patient's trachea was intubated with both techniques. Cricoid pressure was applied to half of the study patients.


METHODS
The time for laryngoscopic view and the time to intubation were recorded for each technique. The effects of cricoid pressure on laryngoscopic view and intubation time were determined.


RESULTS
The times for laryngoscopy and intubation were longer in the FFB group than in the BL group (p < 0.004). There was a significantly lower success rate of laryngoscopy view in the FFB group in the presence of cricoid pressure (15 of 25 patients, or 60%) than either of the BL groups or the FFB no-cricoid pressure group.


CONCLUSIONS
The BL is more reliable, quicker, and more resistant to the effects of cricoid pressure than is the FFB.
Shulman
G B
GB
Department of Anesthesiology, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI, USA
Connelly
N R
NR
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged