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The Airtraq ® as a rescue airway device following failed direct laryngoscopy: a case series
Author(s) -
Maharaj C. H.,
Costello J. F.,
McDonnell J. G.,
Harte B. H.,
Laffey J. G.
Publication year - 2007
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.1365-2044.2007.05036.x
Subject(s) - laryngoscopy , medicine , intubation , airway , tracheal intubation , anesthesia , laryngoscopes , airway management , surgery
Summary We report the successful use of the Airtraq ® as a rescue device following failed direct laryngoscopy, in patients deemed at increased risk for difficult tracheal intubation. In a series of seven patients, repeated attempts at direct laryngoscopy with the Macintosh blade, and the use of manoeuvres to aid intubation, such as the gum elastic bougie placement, were unsuccessful. In contrast, with the Airtraq ® device, each patient's trachea was successfully intubated on the first attempt. This report underlines the utility of the Airtraq device in these patients.