title: A comparison of performance of endotracheal intubation using the Levitan FPS optical stylet or Lary-Flex videolaryngoscope in morbidly obese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of videolaryngoscopes is recommended for morbidly obese patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the Levitan FPS optical stylet (Levitan) vs Lafy-Flex videolaryngoscope (Lary-Flex) in a group of MO patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-nine MO (BMI > 40 kg m(-2)) patients scheduled for bariatric surgery were included in the study and randomly allocated to the Levitan FPS or Lary-Flex group. The primary endpoint was time to intubation and evaluation laryngoscopic of glottic view. Anesthesiologists were asked to evaluate the glottic view first under direct laryngoscopy using the videolaryngoscope as a standard laryngoscope (monitor display was excluded from use) and then using devices. The secondary endpoint was the cardiovascular response to intubation and the participant's evaluation of such devices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The time to intubation was 8.572.66 sec. versus 5.790.2 sec. for Levitan and Lary-Flex, respectively (P < 0.05). In all cases of CL grade >1 under direct laryngoscopy, the study devices improved CL grade to 1. The Levitan FPS produced a greater cardiovascular response than the Lary-Flex videolaryngoscope.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Lary-Flex videolaryngoscope and the Levitan FPS optical stylet improve the laryngeal visualization in morbidly obese patients, allowing for fast endotracheal intubation, but Lary-Flex produces less cardiovascular response to intubation attempt.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine and Disaster Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90 - 131 Lodz, Poland.
authors: Tomasz
authors: 0000-0001-5250-3978
authors: T
authors: Gaszynski
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Barlicki University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Ulice Kopcinskiego 22, 90 - 153 Lodz, Poland.
authors: Monika
authors: 0000-0001-7307-9774
authors: M
authors: Pietrzyk
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Oncology and General Surgery, Barlicki University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, 90 - 131 Lodz, Poland.
authors: Tomasz
authors: T
authors: Szewczyk
authors: Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Medical University of Lodz, 90 - 131 Lodz, Poland.
authors: Ewelina
authors: E
authors: Gaszynska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult