Use of the Airtraq® bronchoscope in a difficult intubation outside the operating room

Efficacy of the Airtraq® laryngoscope with a fiberoptic bronchoscope compared with that of Airtraq® alone for tracheal intubation: a manikin study

“…Airtraq-assisted intubation has, however, possible anatomic limitations, such as a small sternomental distance (obesity, flexed neck, etc.) and a large tongue [1]. Application of Airtraq for patients with these complications tends to cause a partial or total glottic view, which is off-center of the viewfinder, and consequently may result in failure to intubate.…”

“…It is designed to provide a clear view of the glottis and allow intubation without alignment of the oral, pharyngeal, and tracheal axes using the viewfinder. Tracheal intubation using Airtraq, however, requires optimal positioning of the glottis in the middle of the viewfinder, as the tracheal tube is advanced toward the glottis under a predetermined angle, defined by the configuration of the airway channel and angulation of the tracheal tube [1]. Therefore, if the glottic view cannot be optimized for reasons of anatomic limitations, such as a large tongue, successful intubation will require some airway management in addition to the Airtraq device.…”

Comparison of the Laryngeal View during Tracheal Intubation Using Airtraq and Macintosh Laryngoscopes by Unskillful Anesthesiology Residents: A Clinical Study

“…It is clear that like comparative system with the direct laryngoscopy is the only classification that has been available. In fact, some authors have described a new four degrees classification for the laryngoscopic vision with Airtraq optical laryngoscope [20, 21]. Moreover, the laryngoscopic technique using Airtraq does not increase the intubation and laryngoscope times as well as it does not increase the number of complications or hemodynamic stimulation.…”

Combined use of an Airtraq® optical laryngoscope, Airtraq video camera, Airtraq wireless monitor, and a fibreoptic bronchoscope after failed tracheal intubation

“…In patients with a large tongue, obesity, or a cervical mass, combined use of the Airtraq and the FOB may compensate each others' limitations. 3 The Airtraq can provide an unobstructed airway for the FOB, allowing its tip to be sited in the immediate vicinity of the glottic opening. At the same time, the Airtraq provides visualization of the ETT advancing over the FOB 4 while the FOB negotiates the sharp angle between the tip of the ETT and the glottis.…”