BACKGROUND: Although Airtraq (ATQ) is well accepted as a useful device for tracheal intubation especially in cases of difficult airway management, we sometimes encounter difficulty in insertion of a tracheal tube along the blade of ATQ across the vocal cord in spite of ATQ assistance. Gum Elastic Bougie (GEB) is well known as a practical device for intubation assistance with Macintosh laryngoscope. We studied the efficacy of GEB for intubation with ATQ. METHODS:One-hundred-forty one patients scheduled for general anesthesia, ASA physical status 1 or 2, were allocated into two groups randomly; patients intubated with ATQ without GEB (n = 70), and those with ATQ with GEB (n = 71). Twenty anesthegiologists were assinged to them evenly according to their experience. We measured the time they needed for intubation. RESULTS: The combinational advantage of ATQ and GEB was not significantly proved among board certified anesthesiologist. However, among non-board-certified anesthesiologist group, the time needed for successful intubation was significantly shorter with combined use of ATQ and GEB. CONCLUSIONS: For the people with less experience of intubation, GEB is useful assistance for intubation with ATQ. It was concluded that the combined use of ATQ and GEB is a simple and effective process for ordinary doctors or paramedics.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Although Airtraq (ATQ) is well accepted as a useful device for tracheal intubation especially in cases of difficult airway management, we sometimes encounter difficulty in insertion of a tracheal tube along the blade of ATQ across the vocal cord in spite of ATQ assistance. Gum Elastic Bougie (GEB) is well known as a practical device for intubation assistance with Macintosh laryngoscope. We studied the efficacy of GEB for intubation with ATQ. METHODS: One-hundred-forty one patients scheduled for general anesthesia, ASA physical status 1 or 2, were allocated into two groups randomly; patients intubated with ATQ without GEB (n = 70), and those with ATQ with GEB (n = 71). Twenty anesthegiologists were assinged to them evenly according to their experience. We measured the time they needed for intubation. RESULTS: The combinational advantage of ATQ and GEB was not significantly proved among board certified anesthesiologist. However, among non-board-certified anesthesiologist group, the time needed for successful intubation was significantly shorter with combined use of ATQ and GEB. CONCLUSIONS: For the people with less experience of intubation, GEB is useful assistance for intubation with ATQ. It was concluded that the combined use of ATQ and GEB is a simple and effective process for ordinary doctors or paramedics.