SummaryWe compared awake fibreoptic intubation with awake intubation using the Pentax Airway Scope â in 40 adult patients. Sedation was achieved using a target-controlled remifentanil infusion of 1-5 ng.ml

SummaryWe compared times to intubate the trachea orally and success rates using two fibreoptically assisted techniques in 42 healthy patients with normal airways using (a) a 6.0‐mm nasal RAE tracheal tube passed through a classic laryngeal mask airway (CLMA group) or (b) a 6.0‐mm nasal RAE tracheal tube passed through a new disposable Portex Soft Seal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA group). The mean (SD) total intubation times were 82 (14) and 80 (17) s, respectively (p = 0.55). The success rates for intubation at the first attempt were similar (17/21 in the CLMA vs. 16/21 in the PLMA group; p = 0.50). We conclude that there is no clinically significant difference between the times to intubate the trachea or success rates using these two devices, but there may be other more subtle measures which might influence the choice of device in clinical practice. Finally, in the course of this study we developed a grading scale to describe the laryngeal views obtained when using a fibrescope passed through supraglottic airway devices.

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Purpose: The present study compared the C-MAC videolaryngoscope (C-MAC) with Macintosh laryngoscope with regard to the laryngoscopic view, laryngoscopic time and time required to complete the tracheal intubation. We aimed to investigate any disadvantages that the C-MAC laryngoscope may have when used in routine clinical practice.Methods: Ninety patients undergoing elective surgery requiring general anaesthesia and tracheal intubation were randomly allocated to receive tracheal intubation using the C-MAC or the Macintosh laryngoscope. Following a standardised general anaesthetic, data were collected during laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Results:The median laryngoscopic time (IQR) for the C-MAC and Macintosh laryngoscope respectively were 9.8 (4) and 8.1 (3.3) seconds (p = 0.037). The median total intubation time (IQR) for the C-MAC and Macintosh laryngoscope respectively were 29.2 (18.6) and 23.5 (9.4) seconds, (p = 0.011). There were no significant differences in the laryngoscopic view, additional airway manoeuvres and success rate of tracheal intubation between the two groups.Conclusion: Although the differences in the laryngoscopic time and intubation time were statistically significant, they did not achieve clinical significance. Therefore we conclude that the C-MAC videolaryngoscope may be used in routine clinical practice for tracheal intubation.

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