Predictors of difficult videolaryngoscopy with GlideScope® or C-MAC® with D-blade: secondary analysis from a large comparative videolaryngoscopy trial.
Tracheal intubation using acute-angle videolaryngoscopy achieves high success rates, but is not without difficulty. We aimed to determine predictors of 'difficult videolaryngoscopy'.



We performed a secondary analysis of a data set (n=1100) gathered from a multicentre prospective randomized controlled trial of patients for whom difficult direct laryngoscopy was anticipated and who were intubated with one of two videolaryngoscopy devices (GlideScope(®) or C-MAC(®) with D-blade). 'Difficult videolaryngoscopy' was defined as 'first intubation time >60 s' or 'first attempt intubation failure'. A multivariate logistic regression model along with stepwise model selection techniques was performed to determine independent predictors of difficult videolaryngoscopy.



Of 1100 patients, 301 were identified as difficult videolaryngoscopies. By univariate analysis, head and neck position, provider, type of surgery, and mouth opening were associated with difficult videolaryngoscopy (P<0.05). According to the multivariate logistic regression model, characteristics associated with greater risk for difficult videolaryngoscopy were as follows: (i) head and neck position of 'supine sniffing' vs 'supine neutral' {odds ratio (OR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.14, 2.31]}; (ii) undergoing otolaryngologic or cardiac surgery vs general surgery (OR 1.89, 95% CI [1.19, 3.01] and OR 6.13, 95% CI [1.85, 20.37], respectively); (iii) intubation performed by an attending anaesthestist vs a supervised resident (OR 1.83, 95% CI [1.14, 2.92]); and (iv) small mouth opening (OR 1.18, 95% CI [1.02, 1.36]).



This secondary analysis of an existing data set indicates four covariates associated with difficult acute-angle videolaryngoscopy, of which patient position and provider level are modifiable.
Oregon Health & Science University, Mail Code KPV 5A, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA azizm@ohsu.edu.
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Aziz
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Bayman
Oregon Health & Science University, Mail Code KPV 5A, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Van Tienderen
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Todd
Oregon Health & Science University, Mail Code KPV 5A, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Brambrink
D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014741:Video Recording
airway management; intratracheal; intubation; laryngoscopy