MS#21 Efficacy of the Airtraq laryngoscope

J Anesth (2011) 25:93–97
K. Nishikawa E. Hukuoka T. Kawagishi Y. Shimodate: Department of Anesthesia, Muroran City General Hospital,3-8-1 Yamate-chou, Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
M. Yamakage
Department of Anesthesiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

The authors evaluated the efficacy of the combined use of the Airtraq and a fiberoptic bronchoscope(FOB) compared with that of the Airtraq alone for tracheal intubation in simulated airway scenarios.

No significant difference in the rate of successful intubation was detected between the combined use and the use of Airtraq alone in all scenarios. However, the duration of intubation attempts with the combined use was significantly shorter in difficult laryngoscopy scenarios.

Conclusion: The combined use of Airtraq and a FOB enables rapid intubation in simulated difficult airway scenarios compared with intubation using Airtraq alone, and the speed of intubation performed by anesthetists and residents is similar in all airway scenarios.

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