A comparative evaluation of conventional Macintosh laryngoscope and the Airtraq® in different intubation scenarios

Abstract

Background The Airtraq® is an optical laryngoscope which has been shown to improve the ease of intubation in patients with normal and difficult airway. Aims A comparison between Macintosh and Airtraq® laryngoscope have been made in this study regarding the time taken, number of attempts required to intubate and complications in both normal and difficult intubation scenarios. Method 50 adult patients of ASA grade I and II meant for routine surgical procedure were randomly divided into two groups of 25 patients each. The patients in both the groups received similar mode of anaesthesia and monitoring. Result The time required to intubate patients with different scenarios were significantly less when Airtraq® was used compared to the use of Macintosh laryngoscope(p<0.05), number of attempts required to successfully intubate patients were significantly less for Airtraq® assigned group of patients compared to Macintosh group. Conclusion Airtraq® should be encouraged in difficult intubation scenarios with a mouth opening of more than 16mm for adult patients.