Comparison of the Glidescope® and Airtraq® optical laryngoscopes in patients undergoing direct microlaryngoscopy |
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| Authors: | M Lange M Frommer A Redel H Trautner J Hampel P Kranke F Kehl L U Scholtz N Roewer |
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| Affiliation: | Attending Anaesthesiologist;, Resident;, Graduate Student;, Professor of Anaesthesiology and Chairman, Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care;, Attending Surgeon, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany;
Professor of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Chairman, Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany |
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| Abstract: | Optical laryngoscopes have been developed to facilitate difficult airway management. The Airtraq® is a single-use device and the GlideScope® is reusable. In this study, the Airtraq and the Glidescope were compared in 60 ASA I-III patients with tumours of the upper airway undergoing direct endoscopic microlaryngoscopy. Patients were randomly assigned to the Airtraq or the Glidescope group and the Cormack and Lehane grade was assessed by Macintosh laryngoscopy prior to tracheal intubation. There were no differences in tracheal intubation success rates or duration of intubation attempts between both devices. The Cormack and Lehane grade was improved in 77% and 82% of cases in the Airtraq and Glidescope group, respectively. Blood traces on the device and traumatic pharyngeal lesions were found more frequently in the Airtraq group. The Airtraq and Glidescope laryngoscopes are valuable tools for the management of patients with potentially difficult airways with the Glidescope appearing to be less traumatic. |
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