Summary The GlideScope and Airway Scope are video laryngoscopes that have been found to be useful in difficult airway situations. With the GlideScope, there are frequently problems associated with insertion of the tracheal tube despite the ability to view the glottis. The Airway Scope’s imaging system and disposable PBlade aid alignment of the PBlade with the glottis and guide insertion of the tracheal tube. We performed a randomised crossover study of 20 medical students using both videolaryngoscopes in a manikin, with simulated normal and difficult airway scenarios. We found that the students required less time for tracheal intubation with the Airway Scope and reported greater ease of intubation with the Airway Scope in both scenarios. A greater number of students chose the Airway Scope as their device of choice. Our results suggest that the Airway Scope’s features may improve the ease of tracheal intubation compared with the GlideScope.

Purpose: Meconium aspiration syndrome is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and sometimes patients need mechanical ventilator therapy. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors which required mechanical ventilation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 44 infants diagnosed as meconium aspiration syndrome from January 2009 to December 2013. We divided into 2 groups (ventilator group and oxygen therapy group) and analyzed the clinical characteristics, vital signs, laboratory findings and clinical courses. Results: Ventilator group and oxygen therapy group included each 22 infants, and there were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between two groups. Time to transfer and time to start oxygen therapy were longer in ventilator group but not statistical difference. Initial mean blood pressure and pH were significantly lower in ventilator group than in oxygen therapy group (P=0.026, P=0.003). Ventilator group had longer treatment period and worse prognosis than oxygen therapy group. Conclusion: If the infants with meconium aspiration and respiratory distress represent low pH and hypotension, we have to pay close attention to early oxygen supplementation and proper treatment to prevent poor clinical course.