title: Tracheoscopy with the rapiscope to verify endotracheal tube placement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether tracheoscopy is an accurate and quick method for verifying correct placement of the tracheal tube after intubation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operating rooms of a teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  26 patients scheduled for surgery and general anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  8.0-mm tracheal tubes were inserted into both the trachea and the esophagus. Tracheoscopy was performed consecutively through both tracheal tubes by a variety of clinicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  The times taken to correctly identify the trachea and the esophagus were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Correct identification of either the esophagus or the trachea occurred with a 100% sensitivity and a 96% specificity. The mean time to recognize either the trachea or the esophagus was 22.0 seconds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tracheoscopy is a reliable method for quickly verifying proper endotracheal placement of a tracheal tube.
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D014132:Trachea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*