title: The Airtraq as a rescue airway device following failed direct laryngoscopy: a case series.
abstract: We report the successful use of the Airtraq as a rescue device following failed direct laryngoscopy, in patients deemed at increased risk for difficult tracheal intubation. In a series of seven patients, repeated attempts at direct laryngoscopy with the Macintosh blade, and the use of manoeuvres to aid intubation, such as the gum elastic bougie placement, were unsuccessful. In contrast, with the Airtraq device, each patient's trachea was successfully intubated on the first attempt. This report underlines the utility of the Airtraq device in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Clinical Sciences Institute, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Maharaj
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Harte
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Laffey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017211:Treatment Failure