Is the Airtraq optical laryngoscope effective in tracheal intubation by novice personnel?
BACKGROUND
Macintosh laryngoscopic intubation is a lifesaving procedure, but a difficult skill to learn. The Airtraq optical laryngoscope (AOL) is a novel intubation device with advantages over the direct laryngoscope for untrained personnel in a manikin study. We compared the effectiveness of AOL with Macintosh laryngoscope for tracheal intubation by novice personnel.


METHODS
We selected 37 medical students with no prior tracheal intubation experience and educated them on using both laryngoscopes. Seventy-four patients were randomly divided into two groups (group A: AOL, group M: Macintosh laryngoscope). We recorded the tracheal intubation success rate, intubation time, number of attempts, intubation difficulty scale, and adverse effects.


RESULTS
The total success rate was similar in the two groups, but the success rate at first attempt was higher in group A (P < 0.01). Group A also showed reduced duration and attempts at intubation, as well as adverse effects such as oral cavity injury. Additionally, participant reports indicated that using the AOL was easier than the Macintosh laryngoscope (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The AOL is a more effective instrument for tracheal intubation than Macintosh laryngoscope when used by novice personnel.
Park
Sang-Jin
SJ
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
Lee
Won Ki
WK
Lee
Deok Hee
DH