title: Comparison of fibreoptic-guided intubation through ILMA versus intubation through LMA-CTrach.
abstract: We compared the time taken to intubate the trachea of a manikin by fibreoptic-guided intubation through an intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA-FOS) with intubation through a laryngeal mask airway CTrach (LMA-CTrach). Forty-two anaesthetists participated in this randomised crossover study. Although the insertion time was similar, the time taken to intubate the trachea was significantly shorter with the LMA-CTrach as compared with the ILMA-FOS, with a mean time (SD) for ILMA-FOS and CTrach 84 (32) and 53 (21) s, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean difference in the total time between the two techniques was 31 s, with a 95% confidence interval of 22 to 39 s. Thirty (71%) anaesthetists preferred LMA-CTrach as compared with ILMA-FOS (p = 0.008). We conclude that LMA-CTrach is a suitable alternative to fibreoptic-guided intubation through ILMA for the management of unanticipated failed intubation.
authors.affiliation: Neville Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, Gwent, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sreevathsa
authors.forename: P Linga
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Nathan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Danha
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mendonca
mesh_terms: D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D008348:Manikins; D013997:Time Factors