Use of the Endoflex® endotracheal tube as a stylet-free alternative in Glidescope intubations

A prospective, randomised, cross‐over trial comparing the EndoFlex® and standard tracheal tubes in patients with predicted easy intubation

“…Sugiyama et al [20] found less impingement and smoother navigability through the nasal passages, without the need for repeated insertion attempts, when the EndoFlex was used for nasotracheal intubations compared with a the standard Portex tracheal tube. Phua et al [21,22] evaluated the EndoFlex as an alternative to a rigid, styletted tube for Glidescope intubations with comparable intubation times between the two groups.…”

Palatal perforation associated with McGrath® videolaryngoscope

“…As is common in this area of research, Lopez et al enriched their population by including 12 patients who were predicted to be difficult to intubate. The multifactorial index used to identify these patients is an interesting one, as 84% of difficult intubation patients used to derive it, were identified as being difficult when intubation was attempted under topical anaesthesia and sedation using direct laryngoscopy [2]. In our view, this would tend to overidentify patients as being difficult.…”

“…From an industry perspective, the recent Centre for Evidence Based Purchasing Guide [2] on laryngeal mask airways was very interesting in that considerable emphasis was placed on the amount of published clinical data for each of the products. In general terms these papers are focusing on specific applications of the product, as it is necessary to publish original data, and gain recognition for so doing, whereas we would suggest it is equally beneficial if publications could cover 'multicentre' and 'multi-user' studies showing the success rate of products for the circumstances for which they are intended.…”

“…This paper studied 21 patients, only nine were previously difficult to intubate. As the positive predictive value of previous difficult intubation is not 100% [2] it is even possible that some of those nine patients may not have been classified as difficult the next time intubation was attempted. As is common in this area of research, Lopez et al enriched their population by including 12 patients who were predicted to be difficult to intubate.…”

Direct and Indirect Laryngoscopy: Equipment and TechniquesDiscussion

“…65 Although their role in airway management has yet to be fully determined, video laryngoscopes have been advocated for use in routine and difficult airways. 57 Improved intubation success rates may be seen in particular in difficult airway scenarios.…”