6533b860fe1ef96bd12c3839

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Usage of a semi-rigid intubation endoscope is not superior to a video laryngoscope. A prospective, randomised, controlled trial comparing the SensaScope vs. the McGrath Series 5 in surgical patients

subject

description

Abstract Introduction Numerous guidelines and techniques have been developed to manage difficult airways and to prevent problems in airway management. To achieve an optimal view of the glottis, various video laryngoscopes and video stylets have been developed and introduced in clinical anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare the time to place the tracheal tube (TT) with the McGrath™ Series 5 (McG; Medtronic Dublin, Ireland) and the semi-rigid intubation endoscope SensaScope™ (Sc; Acutronic Medical Systems AG, Hirzel, Switzerland) in elective surgery patients. Methods With the approval of the local ethics committee, patients were recruited for this prospective, randomised clinical study. Exclusion criteria were age Results In this study, we compared the McG and the Sc in 76 patients (McG n = 38; Sc n = 38). Time to place was shorter when using the McG, 14 s [12–22 s], than when using the Sc, 22 s [16–32 s] (p = .003). Time to glottis view was likewise shorter with the McG, 3 s [2–4 s], than with the Sc, 10 s [7–23 s] (p  Conclusion The tracheal intubation was significantly shorter using the video laryngoscope McG. The reasons for these results could be the presence of a large tissue mass at the level of the tongue base that interferes with the exposure of the glottis and the insertion of the TT using the Sc such that getting into the glottic aperture is aggravated. Clinical trial registration NCT02348736.