Comparison of the GlideScope video laryngoscope vs. the intubating laryngeal mask for females with normal airways.
OBJECTIVE
In this randomized clinical study, we compared the intubation success rates of the intubating laryngeal mask airway with the GlideScope in patients with normal airways. The primary hypothesis was that the intubating laryngeal mask airway was equally effective as the GlideScope in terms of successful intubation times.


METHODS
Sixty ASA I and II adult patients undergoing elective gynaecological surgery were randomly allocated into either the intubating laryngeal mask airway group or the GlideScope group. After a standard anaesthetic intravenous induction, orotracheal intubation was performed. Time taken for successful tracheal intubation, ease of device insertion, difficulty of tracheal intubation, manoeuvres needed to aid tracheal intubation, number of intubation attempts, haemodynamic changes every 2.5 min interval for 5 min and complications during tracheal intubation were recorded.


RESULTS
Time to successful intubation was longer (mean 68.4 s +/- 23.5 vs. 35.7 s +/- 10.7; P < 0.05), mean difficulty score was higher (mean 16.7 +/- 16.3 vs. 7.3 +/- 13.1; P < 0.05) and more intubation attempts were required in the intubating laryngeal mask airway group.


CONCLUSIONS
The GlideScope improved intubation time and difficulty score for tracheal intubation when compared with the intubating laryngeal mask airway in our patients. Blind intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway offers no advantages over the GlideScope in patients with normal airways. Despite its limitations, the intubating laryngeal mask airway is a valuable adjunct, especially in cases of difficult airway management when it can provide ventilation in between intubation attempts.
Fun
W L L
WL
Department of Women's Anaesthesia, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899. wen1044@yahoo.com
Lim
Y
Y
Teoh
W H L
WH
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000009:adverse effects; D020704:Laryngoscopes / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation