Flexible lightwand-guided tracheal intubation with the intubating laryngeal mask Fastrach in adults after unpredicted failed laryngoscope-guided tracheal intubation.
BACKGROUND
The authors determined the efficacy of using the intubating laryngeal mask airway Fastrach (ILM) as a ventilatory device and aid to flexible lightwand-guided tracheal intubation in patients with unpredicted failed laryngoscope-guided tracheal intubation when managed by experienced anesthetists.


METHODS
During a 27-month period, 16 experienced anesthetists agreed to use the ILM as an airway device and airway intubator in patients (aged > 18 yr) with predicted normal airways who were subsequently found to be difficult to intubate (three failed attempts at laryngoscopy). Intubation via the ILM was performed with a flexible lightwand. The number of attempts at ILM placement, the number of adjusting maneuvers, the number of attempts at tracheal intubation via the ILM,and any episodes of hypoxia (oxygen saturation < 90%) were recorded.


RESULTS
Forty-four of 11,621 patients (0.4%) met the inclusion criteria. ILM insertion and ventilation was successful at the first attempt in 40 of 44 patients (91%) and at the second attempt in 4 of 44 (9%). Flexible lightwand-guided tracheal intubation via the ILM was successful in 38 of 44 patients (86%) at the first attempt, 3 of 44 (7%) at the second attempt, 2 of 44 (5%) at the third to fifth attempts, and failed in 1 of 44 (2%). The median number of adjusting maneuvers before successful intubation was 1 (range, 0-4). Hypoxia occurred in 5 patients before ILM insertion (range, 52-82%), but none after ILM insertion. No patient developed hypoxia during or after intubation via the ILM.


CONCLUSIONS
The ILM is an effective ventilatory device and aid to flexible lightwand-guided tracheal intubation in adult patients with predicted normal airways in whom laryngoscope-guided tracheal intubation subsequently fails when managed by experienced anesthetists.
Dimitriou
Vasilios
V
Department of Anaesthesia, Gennimatas & Sotiria Hospitals, Athens, Greece.
Voyagis
Gregory S
GS
Brimacombe
Joseph R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000009:adverse effects; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies