Comparison of VividTrac, King Vision and Macintosh laryngoscopes in normal and difficult airways during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation among novices

Introduction Early endotracheal intubation improves neurological outcomes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, although cardiopulmonary resuscitation is initially carried out by personnel with limited experience in a significant proportion of cases. Videolaryngoscopes might decrease the number of attempts and time needed, especially among novices. We sought to compare videolaryngoscopes with direct laryngoscopes in simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenarios. Materials and methods Forty-four medical students were recruited to serve as novice users. Following brief, standardized training, students executed endotracheal intubation with the King Vision®, Macintosh and VividTrac® laryngoscopes, on a cardiopulmonary resuscitation trainer in normal and difficult airway scenarios. We evaluated the time to and proportion of successful intubation, the best view of the glottis, esophageal intubation, dental trauma and user satisfaction. Results In the normal airway scenario, significantly shorter intubation times were achieved using the King Vision® than the Macintosh laryngoscope. In the difficult airway scenario, we found that the VividTrac® was superior to the King Vision® and Macintosh laryngoscopes in the laryngoscopy time. In both scenarios, we noted no difference in the first-attempt success rate, but the best view of the glottis and dental trauma, esophageal intubation and bougie use were more frequent with the Macintosh laryngoscope than with the videolaryngoscopes. The shortest tube insertion times were achieved using the King Vision® in both scenarios. Conclusion All providers achieved successful intubation within three attempts, but we found no device superior in any of our scenarios regarding the first-attempt success rate. The King Vision® was superior to the Macintosh laryngoscope in the intubation time in the normal airway scenario and noninferior in the difficult airway scenario for novice users. We noted significantly less esophageal intubation using the videolaryngoscopes than using the Macintosh laryngoscope in both scenarios. Based on our results, the KingVision® might be recommended over the VividTrac® and Macintosh laryngoscopes for further evaluation.

Intubación orotraqueal por medio de fibrobroncoscopio flexible sin conductor vs guiada con máscara laríngea AuraGain en simuladores pediátricos: Ensayo clínico cross over

Antecedentes: La incidencia de intubación difícil en población pediátrica es de 2 a 11 casos por 1000 pacientes llevados a anestesia general, lo que conlleva riesgos potenciales como hipoxemia, parada cardíaca y muerte. Dentro de las estrategias para el manejo de la vía aérea difícil en los niños se encuentra el uso de fibroscopia flexible para guiar la intubación, que se puede combinar con un dispositivo supraglótico con la finalidad de facilitar su inserción, superar obstrucciones de la vía aérea superior y permitir una ventilación simultánea. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la intubación orotraqueal en simuladores pediátricos, utilizando fibrobroncoscopio flexible sin conductor versus el uso de la máscara laríngea AuraGain como conductor, con el fin de demostrar si el uso de dicho dispositivo supra glótico tiene alguna ventaja comparado con intubar sin conductor. Métodos: 41 anestesiólogos y residentes de anestesiología, fueron asignados al azar para realizar una intubación orotraqueal en un simulador pediátrico, utilizando fibrobroncoscopio flexible sin conductor o utilizando como guía la máscara laríngea AuraGain. Resultados: La intubación exitosa en el primer intento se consiguió en 38 de 41 intubaciones en el grupo de fibrobroncoscopia sin conductor y en 32 de 41 intubaciones en el grupo de fibrobroncoscopia con AuraGain, sin encontrar diferencias estadísticamente significativas. El grupo de fibrobroncoscopia sin conductor tuvo una mediana de tiempo de intubación significativamente más corta (41 segundos), comparado con el grupo de fibrobroncoscopia y AuraGain (67.5 segundos). Conclusiones: Usar el dispositivo AuraGain como conductor para intubar simuladores pediátricos con fibra óptica no mejora la intubación al primer intento, la intubación global, ni la visualización glótica, comparado con intubar solo con fibra óptica. Usar AuraGain aumenta los tiempos de intubación, sin embargo, dichos hallazgos deben ser confirmados en estudios con humanos. Background: The incidence of difficult intubation in pediatric population is 2 to 11 cases per 1000 patients brought to general anesthesia, which carries potential risks such as hypoxemia, cardiac arrest and death. Among the strategies for the management of difficult airway in children is the use of flexible fiberscopy to guide intubation, which can be combined with a supraglottic device in order to facilitate its insertion, overcome upper airway obstructions and allow simultaneous ventilation. The aim of this study was to compare orotracheal intubation in pediatric simulators, using a flexible fibrobronchoscope without driver versus using the AuraGain laryngeal mask as a driver, in order to demonstrate whether the use of such a supraglottic device has any advantage compared to intubating without a driver. Methods: 41 anesthesiologists and anesthesiology residents were randomly assigned to perform orotracheal intubation in a pediatric simulator using either a flexible fibrobronchoscope without a driver or the AuraGain laryngeal mask as a guide. Results: Successful intubation on the first attempt was achieved in 38 of 41 intubations in the driverless fibrobronchoscopy group and in 32 of 41 intubations in the fibrobronchoscopy with AuraGain group, with no statistically significant differences. The driverless fibrobronchoscopy group had a significantly shorter median intubation time (41 seconds) compared to the fibrobronchoscopy and AuraGain group (67.5 seconds). Conclusions: Using the AuraGain device as a driver to intubate pediatric simulators with fiberoptics does not improve first-attempt intubation, overall intubation, or glottic visualization compared with intubating with fiberoptics alone. Using AuraGain increases intubation times, however, such findings need to be confirmed in human studies.

Managing Known Difficult Airways in Obstetric Patients Using a Flexible Bronchoscope and IRRIS: A Case-Illustrated Guide for Nonexpert Anesthesiologists, without Surgical Backup

Pregnancy is associated with anatomical and physiological changes leading to potential difficult airway management. Some pregnant women have known difficult airways and cannot be intubated even with a hyperangulated videolaryngoscope. If neuraxial techniques are also impossible, awake tracheal intubation with a flexible bronchoscope may be one of the few available options to avoid more invasive techniques. The Infrared Red Intubation System (IRRIS) may help nonexpert anesthesiologists in such situations and may enhance the chance of successful intubation increasing safety for the mother and the fetus, especially in hospitals without the ear, nose, and throat surgical backup.

Fifteen-minute consultation: Intubation of the critically ill child presenting to the emergency department

Intubation of critically ill children presenting to the emergency department is a high-risk procedure. Our article aims to offer a step-by-step guide as to how to plan and execute a rapid, successful intubation in a way that minimises risk of adverse events and patient harm. We address considerations such as the need for adequate resuscitation before intubation and selection of equipment and personnel. We also discuss drug choice for induction and peri-intubation instability, difficult airway considerations as well as postintubation care. Focus is also given on the value of preintubation checklists, both in terms of equipment selection and in the context of staff role designation and intubation plan clarity. Finally, in cases of failed intubation, we recommend the application of the Vortex approach, highlighting, thus, the importance of avoiding task fixation and maintaining our focus on what matters most: adequate oxygenation.

Effectivity battle between C-MAC and McGrath® video laryngoscope in a patient with general anesthesia at Sanglah Hospital: A pilot study

Background: Intubation is a common essential procedure to maintain the airway during general anesthesia. Various video laryngoscopes (VL) on the market today assist anesthesiologists in improving intubation success rates and also in complicated airway cases. There are two types of VL found in our institution, which are C-MAC and McGrath®. Each of them has its pros and cons, which withdrawn our curiosity to compare their effectiveness. Methods: A pilot study was conducted in our center; we included all patients undergoing general anesthesia with physical status ASA I-III and consent to the study and divide them into two groups, C-MAC and McGrath®. We compare C-MAC and McGrath® VL effectiveness in terms of time for intubation, ease of intubation, total attempt, failure to intubate, Cormack Lehane degree, POGO Score, and hemodynamic stability. Results: A total of 20 patients were intubated with two different VL, ten patients for each group. Both VLs accommodate ease of intubation, and overall first attempt successful intubation, though C-MAC showed better laryngeal and glottic visualization, shorter tracheal intubation times, and less hemodynamic change. Conclusion: C-MAC gives better results in laryngeal and glottic visualization, shorter tracheal intubation times, and less hemodynamic change.

Comparison of RAMP and New Modified RAMP Positioning in Laryngoscopic View During Intubation in Patients with Morbid Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and anesthesiologists are facing challenges in the airway management of such patients. Excessive adipose tissue influences pharyngeal spaces and affects the laryngoscopic grade. Standard ramp positioning is time-consuming and difficult to prepare, and requires expensive equipment. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the standard ramp position with the proposed low-cost and easily accessible modified ramp position in laryngoscopic view during the intubation of patients with morbid obesity. Methods: In this single-blind clinical trial, 84 patients candidate for bariatric surgery at Rasoul Akram Hospital in 2020 were assigned to the rapid airway management positioner (RAMP) (R) and new modified RAMP (MR) groups by the block randomization method. The laryngoscopic view of the glottis based on the Cormack-Lehane scale, ventilation quality, duration of intubation, intubation attempts, oxygen saturation at the end of intubation, and the need for backward, upward, rightward pressure (BURP) maneuver for successful intubation were recorded. Normal distribution tests and Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed no significant differences between the two groups regarding ventilation score, laryngoscopy grade, number of intubation attempts, duration of intubation, and the need for BURP maneuvers during intubation (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The two methods are not significantly different, and the new modified ramp position can be used with more ease and availability and less cost.

Intubating Through Supraglottic Airway Devices: A Narrative Review

Implication Statement: Despite the increasing popularity of video laryngoscopes, the supraglottic airway device (SAD) remains a critical airway rescue tool. The SAD provides a conduit for tracheal intubation in failed laryngoscopy. This article aims to help the operator: (1) select an intubating SAD with consistent performance; (2) inform the appropriate SAD-endotracheal tube pairings; and (3) explain various SAD and endotracheal tube maneuvers available to increase chances of successful intubation. Objectives: The first supraglottic airway device (SAD) was introduced more than thirty years ago. Since then, SADs have undergone multiple iterations and improvements. The SAD remains an airway rescue device for ventilation and an intubation conduit on difficult airway algorithms. Data Sources: Several SADs are specifically designed to facilitate tracheal intubation, i.e., “intubating SADs,” while most are “non-intubating SADs.” The two most commonly reported tracheal intubation methods via the SADs are the blind and visualized passage of the endotracheal tube (ETT) preloaded on a fiberoptic scope. Fiberoptic guided tracheal intubation (FOI) via an intubating SAD generally has higher success rates than blind intubations and is thus preferred. However, fiberscopes might not always be readily available, and anesthesiologists should be skilled to successfully intubate blindly through a SAD. Summery: This narrative review describes intubating SAD with consistent performance, appropriate SAD-ETT pairings, and various SAD and ETT maneuvers to increase successful intubation chances.