Abstract
Background: Laryngoscopic endotracheal intubation (LEI) is a widely performed lifesaving technique. There are evidence and guidelines to help decide the optimal sized endotracheal tube (ET), laryngoscope, depth of insertion, and patient position for successful endotracheal intubation. We hypothesize that after glottic visualization, the point at which the ET is held will affect the time, ease, and success of the technique due to a difference in visualization and torque. We aim to compare two sites of holding the ET after optimal laryngeal-inlet visualization: time to intubation, rate of success of first pass intubation, intubation difficulty and complications.Methods: Supervised intubations on ASA 1-2 patients (>18 years) posted for surgery under general anesthesia performed by anesthesia trainees (experience <18 months) will be included. Patients with an anticipated difficult airway or unanticipated difficulty - CL grade > three or requiring the use of airway adjuncts will be excluded. A computer-generated numbers list will randomize patients; allocation concealed with opaque sealed envelopes. ET marked at the selected site will be handed to the intubator by the theatre-technician once she/he confirms the optimum laryngoscopic view. The entire procedure will be video recorded. Two blinded assessors will independently review the videos to document the time to intubation (TTI defined as the time from holding the ET to the removal of laryngoscope from the mouth after successful intubation) and intubation difficulty score. Postoperative sore throat and hoarseness will be recorded.Sample size: 54 experienced anesthetists were video-recorded during intubating. The site of holding ET and TTI were analyzed. The mean site was 3 SD 2.5 cm from the tip, yielding two sites for the study- 19 cm (Gr 1) and 24 cm (Gr 2). To detect a 20% difference in intubation time between groups, the confidence of 95%, and power 85%, we will need 298 patients: 180 per group after accounting for data loss.Discussion: This will be the first study to assess whether holding the tube at a particular site has any impact on the ease and time taken for intubation. This study's findings will provide the first scientific evidence for an appropriate place for holding the ET during LEI, which we feel will help trainees improve their LEI technique.Trial registration: CTRI/2019/09/021201, Clinical Trials Registry India. http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advsearch.php. Registered 12th September 2019,
Paediatric Endotracheal Suction
