Introduction
Laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in the presence of cervical spine instability may put patients at risk of cervical cord injury. Nevertheless, the biomechanics of intubation (cervical spine motion as a function of applied force) have not been characterized. This study characterized and compared the relationship between laryngoscope force and cervical spine motion using two laryngoscopes hypothesized to differ in force.
Methods
Fourteen adults undergoing elective surgery were intubated twice (Macintosh, Airtraq). During each intubation, laryngoscope force, cervical spine motion, and glottic view were recorded. Force and motion were referenced to a pre-intubation baseline (stage 1) and were characterized at three stages: stage 2 (laryngoscope introduction); stage 3 (best glottic view); stage 4 (endotracheal tube in trachea).
Results
Maximal force and motion occurred at stage 3, and differed between the Macintosh and Airtraq: 1) Force: 48.8±15.8 vs. 10.4±2.8 N, respectively; P=0.0001; 2) occiput-C5 extension: 29.5±8.5 vs. 19.1±8.7 degrees, respectively; P=0.0023. Between stages -2 and -3, the motion/force ratio differed between Macintosh and Airtraq: 0.5±0.2 vs. 2.0±1.4 degrees/N, respectively; P=0.0006.
Discussion
The relationship between laryngoscope force and cervical spine motion is: 1) non-linear and 2) differs between laryngoscopes. Differences between laryngoscopes in motion/force relationships are likely due to: 1) laryngoscope-specific cervical extension needed for intubation, 2) laryngoscope-specific airway displacement/deformation needed for intubation, and 3) cervical spine and airway tissue viscoelastic properties. Cervical spine motion during endotracheal intubation is not directly proportional to force. Low force laryngoscopes cannot be assumed to result in proportionally low cervical spine motion.