Comparison of two video-assisted techniques for the difficult intubation.
BACKGROUND
Two recently developed video-optical intubation devices, the video-optical intubation stylet (VOIS) and the angled video intubation laryngoscope (AVIL) were compared for intubation times and success rate in a simulated difficult tracheal intubation setting.


METHODS
Thirty anaesthetists were asked to perform 5 intubation attempts with both techniques. Intubation times were recorded and the subjective degree of difficulty and preference for each technique were requested.


RESULTS
Intubation time with the VOIS was shorter (17.4+/-6.8 s) than with the AVIL (22.8+/-13.4 s; P=0.0001). Four of the 150 intubation attempts with the AVIL were scored as unsuccessful, due to prolonged intubation time (>60 s). The estimated degree of difficulty was not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, both video-assisted intubation devices, the video-optical intubation stylet and the angled video intubation laryngoscope, can be considered to be simple and effective tools which facilitate tracheal intubation and which require only brief instruction and training.
Biro
P
P
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. peter.biro@ifa.usz.ch
Weiss
M
M
D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology