[The usefulness of the processed nasal airway for fiberscope guided nasotracheal intubation].
BACKGROUND
The fiberscopy has become an essential tool for tracheal intubation. As we realized that nasal airway acts like a conduit to guide a fiberscope toward the larynx, we have devised a unique nasal airway named "Osaka airway" which is suitable for fiberoptic naso-tracheal intubation. This airway has two pre-cut line from the head to the tip which can be peeled off easily after the insertion of fiberscope. To verify this advantages, we measured the length of nares-vocal cords and assessed the fiberoptic visibility of vocal cords under the aid of nasal airway.


METHODS
At the end of operation, 54 patients were extubated and nasal airway was inserted to measure the length of nares-vocal cords and to observe vocal cords and epiglottis. Then, in another series, two beginners conducted fiberoptic intubation on several cases with the aid of Osaka airway.


RESULTS
The length of nares-vocal cords of male was 20.2 +/- 1.0 S.D.cm, and that of female 17.3 +/- 1.1 S.D.cm. The length correlated with the body height. In 34 patient, we could see vocal cords just below the airway tip. Two beginners could complete the intubation within 2 min in almost all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Osaka airway was a help for fiberoptic naso-tracheal intubation for beginners.
Kawamura
Satoko
S
Department of Anesthesia, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Amagasaki 660-8511.
Matsubara
Yoko
Y
Tamai
Yutaka
Y
Fujiwara
Mariko
M
Kuri
Michioki
M
Amano
Masaru
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged