We investigated the usefulness and safety of Airway Scope (hereafter AWS;MIC Medical Co., Tokyo) for insertion of a TEE probe.
Methods:The subjects were 38 adult patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery in our hospital from August 2012 to August 2013. We used AWS for insertion of the TEE probe in those patients. AWS is one type of video laryngoscope used in tracheal intubation. Images of the hypopharynx can be obtained by inserting the Intlock into the oral cavity. We measured success rate, procedure time, and the incidence of complications including sore throat, dental injury, and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Results:The success rate of TEE probe insertion using AWS was 97.4% (37/38 cases) . The mean (median) period needed for insertion with AWS was 16.3 seconds (13.5 seconds) . There were no complications except one sore throat.
Conclusions:The use of AWS enabled smooth placement of the TEE probe without severe complications. The results also suggest that AWS might be useful when blind TEE probe insertion is difficult.
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