Simulating face-to-face tracheal intubation of a trapped patient: a randomized comparison of the LMA Fastrach™, the GlideScope™, and the Airtraq™ laryngoscope.
British Journal of Anaesthesia · 2011-10-27 · Randomised trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We undertook a prospective randomized comparison of the LMA Fastrach™, Airtraq™ laryngoscope, and GlideScope™ used for face-to-face tracheal intubation simulated to mimic an entrapped patient. METHODS: Thirty senior emergency medicine physicians were trained in the use of the LMA Fastrach™, GlideScope™, and Airtraq™ laryngoscope with a standard airway trainer manikin (control). Participants were then asked to perform tracheal intubation in two difficult situations simulated on a difficult airway management manikin wearing a cervical collar. In Situation 1, the manikin was in the supine position with a difficult airway caused by stiffening the cervical spine. In Situation 2, the manikin was positioned to simulate face-to-face tracheal intubation. We measured intubation times, success rates for tracheal intubation, and the difficulty of tracheal intubation. Values are means (sd). RESULTS: In control and Situation 1, tracheal intubation details were similar. In Situation 2, face-to-face tracheal intubation success rate was increased with the Airtraq™ (100%), when compared with that of the GlideScope™ (70%, P<0.05) and LMA Fastrach™ (83%, P<0.05). Face-to-face tracheal intubation was less difficult (visual analogue scale: 0-100) with the Airtraq™ 11 (6) when compared with the GlideScope™ [33 (14) s, P<0.01)] and LMA Fastrach™ [22 (21) s, P<0.01]. The face-to-face tracheal intubation time was shorter with the Airtraq™ 14 (6) s than with the GlideScope™ [27 (18) s, P<0.01] and Fastrach™ [28 (10) s, P<0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: The Airtraq™ laryngoscope was superior to both the GlideScope™ and LMA Fastrach™ during simulated face-to-face difficult tracheal intubation.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Endotracheal intubation · Supraglottic airway · Video laryngoscopy
Related articles
- Evaluation of the Storz CMAC®, Glidescope® GVL, AirTraq®, King LTS-D™, and direct laryngoscopy in a simulated difficult airway. (Am J Emerg Med, 2013)
- Comparison of 2 techniques of laryngeal tube exchange in a randomized controlled simulation study. (Am J Emerg Med, 2015)
- Comparison of Airway Management Methods in Entrapped Patients: A Manikin Study. (Prehosp Emerg Care, 2016)
- Canadian Airway Focus Group updated consensus-based recommendations for management of the difficult airway: part 1. Difficult airway management encountered in an unconscious patient. (Can J Anaesth, 2021)
- Guidelines for the management of tracheal intubation in critically ill adults. (Br J Anaesth, 2018)
- Comparison of Video Laryngoscope (VL) and Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway (I-LMA) for Endotracheal Intubation in a Manikin with Restricted Neck Motion. (Arch Acad Emerg Med, 2025)