BACKGROUND: The Airtraq, a new disposable indirect laryngoscope, was evaluated in patients with difficult intubation. METHODS: The Airtraq was used in 47 patients with predicted or unpredicted difficult intubation after failed orotracheal intubation performed by two senior anaesthesiologists with the Macintosh laryngoscope. RESULTS: Tracheal intubation with Airtraq was successful in 36 patients (80%). The Cormack and Lehane score was IIb-III in 35 patients, and IV in 12 patients, with the Macintosh laryngoscope, while Cormack and Lehane score was I-IIa in 40 patients, IIb-III in three and IV in four with Airtraq. A gum elastic bougie was used to facilitate tracheal access in one-third (11/36) of the cases. Orotracheal intubation was not possible with Airtraq in nine cases, five of whom had a pharyngeal, laryngeal or basal lingual tumour. CONCLUSION: In patients with difficult airway, following failed conventional orotracheal intubation, Airtraq allows securing the airway in 80% of cases mainly by improving glottis view. However, the Airtraq does not guarantee successful intubation in all instances, especially in case of laryngeal and/or pharyngeal obstruction.
BACKGROUND: The Airtraq, a new disposable indirect laryngoscope, was evaluated in patients with difficult intubation. METHODS: The Airtraq was used in 47 patients with predicted or unpredicted difficult intubation after failed orotracheal intubation performed by two senior anaesthesiologists with the Macintosh laryngoscope. RESULTS: Tracheal intubation with Airtraq was successful in 36 patients (80%). The Cormack and Lehane score was IIb-III in 35 patients, and IV in 12 patients, with the Macintosh laryngoscope, while Cormack and Lehane score was I-IIa in 40 patients, IIb-III in three and IV in four with Airtraq. A gum elastic bougie was used to facilitate tracheal access in one-third (11/36) of the cases. Orotracheal intubation was not possible with Airtraq in nine cases, five of whom had a pharyngeal, laryngeal or basal lingual tumour. CONCLUSION: In patients with difficult airway, following failed conventional orotracheal intubation, Airtraq allows securing the airway in 80% of cases mainly by improving glottis view. However, the Airtraq does not guarantee successful intubation in all instances, especially in case of laryngeal and/or pharyngeal obstruction.
Authors: Filippo Sanfilippo; Francesco Sgalambro; Giuseppe Chiaramonte; Cristina Santonocito; Gaetano Burgio; Antonio Arcadipane Journal: Turk J Anaesthesiol Reanim Date: 2019-09-02
Authors: J Adam Law; Natasha Broemling; Richard M Cooper; Pierre Drolet; Laura V Duggan; Donald E Griesdale; Orlando R Hung; Philip M Jones; George Kovacs; Simon Massey; Ian R Morris; Timothy Mullen; Michael F Murphy; Roanne Preston; Viren N Naik; Jeanette Scott; Shean Stacey; Timothy P Turkstra; David T Wong Journal: Can J Anaesth Date: 2013-10-17 Impact factor: 5.063
Authors: Dharshi Karalapillai; Jai Darvall; Justin Mandeville; Louise Ellard; Jon Graham; Laurence Weinberg Journal: Indian J Crit Care Med Date: 2014-07