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Evaluation of intubation using the Airtraq ® or Macintosh laryngoscope by anaesthetists in easy and simulated difficult laryngoscopy – a manikin study *
Author(s) -
Maharaj C. H.,
Higgins B. D.,
Harte B. H.,
Laffey J. G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2006.04547.x
Subject(s) - laryngoscopy , medicine , intubation , laryngoscopes , tracheal intubation , anesthesia , airway , insertion time , airway management
Summary The Airtraq ® Laryngoscope is a novel intubation device which allows visualisation of the vocal cords without alignment of the oral, pharyngeal and tracheal axes. We compared the Airtraq ® with the Macintosh laryngoscope in simulated easy and difficult laryngoscopy. Twenty‐five anaesthetists were allowed up to three attempts to intubate the trachea in each of three laryngoscopy scenarios using a Laerdal ® Intubation Trainer followed by five scenarios using a Laerdal SimMan ® Manikin. Each anaesthetist then performed tracheal intubation of the normal airway a second time to characterise the learning curve. In the simulated easy laryngoscopy scenarios, there was no difference between the Airtraq ® and the Macintosh in success of tracheal intubation. The time taken to intubate at the end of the protocol was significantly lower using the Airtraq ® (9.5 (6.7) vs. 14.2 (7.4) s), demonstrating a rapid acquisition of skills. In the simulated difficult laryngoscopy scenarios, the Airtraq ® was more successful in achieving tracheal intubation, required less time to intubate successfully, caused less dental trauma, and was considered by the anaesthetists to be easier to use.