Nasotracheal intubation with three indirect laryngoscopes assisted by standard or modified Magill forceps

Abstract

We assessed the effect of modifying standard Magill forceps on the laryngeal introduction of an Eschmann stylet during nasotracheal intubations with three indirect laryngoscopes (Airtraq™, C-MAC® or GlideScope®) in patients with predicted difficult intubation. We allocated 50 participants to each laryngoscope. The stylet was advanced by one forceps followed by the other (standard or modified), with each sequence allocated to 25/50 for each laryngoscope. There were no differences in rates of failed tracheal intubation with the allocated laryngoscopes: 6/50, 5/50 and 5/50, respectively. An Eschmann stylet was advanced into the trachea less often with the standard forceps (65% vs 93%, p < 0.0001). Mean (SD) time for stylet advancement was longer with the standard forceps, 38 (30) vs 19 (19) s, p < 0.0001. In conclusion, the modified Magill forceps facilitated nasotracheal intubation, independent of the type of indirect laryngoscope. © Anaesthesia © 2013 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.