Comparison of polyvinyl chloride, curved reinforced, and straight reinforced endotracheal tubes for tracheal intubation through Airtraq™ laryngoscope in anesthetized patients

Abstract

Background and Aims:The Airtraq™ video laryngoscope facilitates tracheal intubations in patients with difficult airway or cervical spine immobilization. However, curved reinforced tracheal tube and straight reinforced tracheal tubes are useful where neck of the patient is likely to be moved or flexed or if patient is in prone position, wherein nonreinforced endotracheal tube (ETT) might get kinked and/or compressed. We compared intubation success rate of curved and straight reinforced tracheal tubes with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tracheal tube using Airtaq™ laryngoscope in paralyzed and anesthetized patients.Material and Methods:Totally, 120 patients underwent random allocation to one of the three groups using computer-generated randomization table. Patients were intubated with appropriate size and type of ETT using Airtraq™ after obtaining optimal glottis view. Experienced anesthesiologist performed endotracheal intubation and unblinded observer noted down success and ease of intubation.Results:Patients intubated with PVC tube (100%) had higher rates of successful intubation and shorter intubation time (4 s), in comparison to intubation with curved reinforced (92.5%) and straight reinforced tubes (SRTs) (85%) using Airtraq™ laryngoscope (AL). However, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of airway trauma among all the three groups.Conclusions:PVC tracheal tube is significantly superior to both curved and SRTs for intubation using AL.

Tracheal intubation with King Vision video laryngoscope in patients with cervical spine instability—Comparison of straight versus curved reinforced endotracheal tubes

“…Kush Goyal et al . [ 5 ] also considered the same while using Airtraq. In a study done by Dimitriou et al .,[ 12 ] the time elapsed from inserting the blade between the teeth to the endotracheal tube crossing the vocal cords as evidenced by visual confirmation by the anaesthesiologist was considered as the duration of intubation.…”

“…The intubation success rate for different types of endotracheal tubes emerging from the Airtraq laryngoscope in anaesthetised patients was 100% for PVC tracheal tubes and 78.5% for SRT in a previously published study and it was 92.5% and 85% while comparing CRT and SRT in another study. [ 5 12 ] Similarly, Toshiyuki Minonishi et al . [ 6 ] described a higher number of insertion attempts with the use of SRT than with CRT (2.4 ± 1.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.5) through Airway scope.…”

“…Previous studies demonstrated the same using CRT and SRT with Airtraq and Airwayscope. [ 5 6 ] However, higher incidences of airway trauma were observed by Dimitriou et al . [ 12 ] with both the types of reinforced tubes compared to PVC tubes.…”

“…Previouslypublished studies comparing standard polyvinyl chloride (PVC), CRT and SRT tubes for tracheal intubation using different channelled videolaryngoscopes like Airtraq or Airway scope in normal adults have demonstrated that PVC is superior to CRT/SRT and CRT is superior to SRT. [ 5 6 ] A study comparing reinforced tube for intubation using KVVL and direct laryngoscopy suggesting faster intubation with KVVL is also available. [ 7 ] As patients with cervical spine instability are regularly managed using videolaryngoscope and reinforced tubes during surgery, we undertook this study to compare the intubation characteristics with the primary objective being intubation time using CRT and SRT through KVVL in adults to be operated for cervical spine surgery.…”

A Pulsating Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm in Pharynx: An Airway Challenge

“…PVC tube was selected over the flexometallic tube as it has been shown that the success rate of intubation is better with PVC tube under videolaryngoscopic view with similar rates of airway trauma. 1 Although both rigid and flexible fiberoptic scope could be used in this situation under videolaryngoscope guidance, we felt that using a rigid bronchoscope would provide us better control over the instrument.…”