title: A comparison of fiberoptical guided tracheal intubation via laryngeal mask and laryngeal tube.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fiberoptical assisted intubation via a placed laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has been described as save and easy procedure to manage a difficult airway. The laryngeal tube (LT) is a promising alternative to the LMA as supraglottic airway device. Fiberoptical assisted intubation via LT is possible, however considered more difficult. The aim of this study was to compare the fiberoptical assisted intubation via LT and LMA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 22 anesthesiologists with different levels of experience participated in the study performed on an adult airway model. Primarily the supraglottic device was placed and correct position was confirmed by successful ventilation. A 5 mm internal diameter tracheal tube was loaded onto a flexible 3.6 mm fiberscope and the so prepared device was inserted into the proximal lumen of the LMA or the LT. The glottis was passed under visual control and the tube advanced into the trachea. After removal of the fiberscope, ventilation was examined clinically by inspection. Success rates, procedure time and observed complications of LMA versus LT were compared (U-test; P < 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Placement of the endotracheal tube was successful in all attempts using both the LMA and LT. There was no difference in the time needed for the placement procedure (33 [26-38] s LMA; 35 [32-38] s LT). Only minor technical complications were observed in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A fiberoptical assisted intubation via LT can be considered as a relevant alternative in advanced airway management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Metterlein
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plank
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sinner
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bundscherer
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernhard M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roth
keywords: Difficult airway; fiberoptic intubation; laryngeal mask; laryngeal tube