title: Comparison of the Glidescope and Airtraq optical laryngoscopes in patients undergoing direct microlaryngoscopy.
abstract: Optical laryngoscopes have been developed to facilitate difficult airway management. The Airtraq is a single-use device and the GlideScope is reusable. In this study, the Airtraq and the Glidescope were compared in 60 ASA I-III patients with tumours of the upper airway undergoing direct endoscopic microlaryngoscopy. Patients were randomly assigned to the Airtraq or the Glidescope group and the Cormack and Lehane grade was assessed by Macintosh laryngoscopy prior to tracheal intubation. There were no differences in tracheal intubation success rates or duration of intubation attempts between both devices. The Cormack and Lehane grade was improved in 77% and 82% of cases in the Airtraq and Glidescope group, respectively. Blood traces on the device and traumatic pharyngeal lesions were found more frequently in the Airtraq group. The Airtraq and Glidescope laryngoscopes are valuable tools for the management of patients with potentially difficult airways with the Glidescope appearing to be less traumatic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. lange_m@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frommer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Trautner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hampel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kranke
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kehl
authors.forename: L U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Scholtz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roewer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004867:Equipment Design; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D020704:Laryngoscopes / Q000009:adverse effects; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications