A Comparison of Two GlideScope Intubation Techniques

Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Intubation, Endotracheal; Anesthesia, General

Treatments: Device: GlideScope

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01865643

13-03

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to compare the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubations using the standard technique versus the alternative GS intubation technique. As secondary outcomes the investigators will analyze procedure time, success rate and injury rate.

The investigators hypothesize that the alternative intubation technique will have a shorter procedure time and lower injury rate when compared to the standard technique of GS intubation.

Full description

A Difficult intubation is still one of the most daunting challenges in anesthesiology. One of the tools used to assist with a difficult tracheal intubation is the GlideScope (GS) (Verathon, Bothell, WA, USA). The GS is a video laryngoscope that has a 60 degree angle blade with a built-in high-resolution camera and a light source assembled beside it. The image is transmitted onto a mobile bedside monitor. It has been widely used in medicine for over a decade. The GS was designed to provide an improved view of the glottis during difficult intubations without alignment of the oral, pharyngeal and tracheal axes, as it is able to "look around the corner" to facilitate the intubation.

The standard technique of the GS intubation involves a midline laryngoscopy followed by the insertion of a styleted endotracheal tube (ETT) once an adequate view of the vocal cords has been achieved. The ETT insertion process requires the operator to look away from the monitor during the laryngoscopy while maintaining the blade position in order to insert it into its initial position.

An alternative GS intubation technique has been described for cases in which there is limited mouth opening, a big tongue or other anatomical impediments. In these cases the ETT is inserted under direct vision as a "fish hook" at the side of the mouth before the GS blade is introduced into the oropharynx.

There are several advantages to this alternative technique. The first advantage is that this technique of ETT insertion would minimize the laryngoscopy time as a part of it is performed before the blade is introduced and the stimulating effect occurs. This technique thus has the potential of reducing the sympathetic response. Minimizing oropharyngo-laryngeal stimulation time would theoretically attenuate the hemodynamic response.

Enrollment: 81 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients of ASA physical status 1-2
• Patients aged 18 years and older
• Patients undergoing elective surgery that requires tracheal intubation

Exclusion criteria

• Patients in whom a rapid sequence intubation or alternative intubation method is indicated
• Patients with a known or suspected oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal mass
• Patients previously flagged as a difficult intubation
• Patients with hypertension (treated or untreated, poor dentition, symptomatic gastro-esophageal reflux or cervical spine instability

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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81 participants in 2 patient groups

Standard GlideScope intubation

Other group

Description:

This standard GlideScope (GS) technique involves a midline larygoscopy followed by insertion of a styleted endotracheal tube, once an adequate view of the vocal cords is achieved.

Treatment:

Device: GlideScope

Alternative GlideScope intubation

Experimental group

Description:

Alternative GlideScope (GS) intubation involves the insertion of the endotracheal tube under direct vision as a "fish hook" at the side of the mouth before the GS blade is introduced into the oropharynx.

Treatment:

Device: GlideScope