title: Comparison of the Macintosh laryngoscope and blind intubation via the iGEL for Intubation With C-spine immobilization: A Randomized, crossover, manikin trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endotracheal intubation (ETI) using a Macintosh laryngoscope (MAC) requires the head to be positioned in a modified Jackson position, slightly reclined and elevated. Intubation of trauma patients with an injured neck or spine is therefore difficult, since the neck usually cannot be turned or is already immobilized in order to prevent further injury. The iGEL supraglottic airway seems optimal for such conditions due to its blind insertion without the need of a modified Jackson position.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, crossover study in 46 paramedics. Participants performing standard intubation and blind intubation via iGEL supraglottic airway device in three airway scenarios: Scenario A - normal airway; Scenario B - manual inline cervical immobilization, performed by an independent instructor; scenario C: cervical immobilization using a standard Patriot cervical extraction collar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Scenario A, nearly all participants performed ETI successfully both with MAC and iGEL (100% vs. 95.7%). The time to intubation (TTI) using the MAC and iGEL amounted to 19 [IQR, 18-21]s vs. 12 [IQR, 11-13]s (P<0.001). Head extension angle as well as tooth compression were significantly better with the iGEL compared to the MAC (P<0.001). In scenario B and C, the results with the iGEL were significantly better than with MAC for all analyzed variables (TTI, success of first intubation attempt, head extension angle, tooth compression and VAS scores).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed that blind intubation with the iGEL supraglottic airway was superior to ETI performed by paramedics in a simulated cervical immobilization scenario in a manikin in terms of success rate, time to definite tube placement, head extension angle, tooth compression, and rating.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medical Service, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gawlowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medical Service, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smereka
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madziala
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: lukasz.szarpak@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Szarpak
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frass
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Robak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058109:Airway Management / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods; D011044:Poland; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Blind intubation; Endotracheal tube; Immobilization; Paramedics