Tracheal intubation in patients with rigid collar immobilisation of the cervical spine: a comparison of Airtraq^® and LMA CTrach™ devices*

Abstract

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Airtraq® and CTrach™ in lean patients with simulated cervical spine injury after application of a rigid cervical collar. Eighty‐six consenting adult patients of ASA physical status 1 or 2, who required elective tracheal intubation were included in this study in a randomised manner. Anaesthesia was induced using 1 μg.kg−1 fentanyl, 3 mg.kg−1 propofol and 0.6 mg.kg−1 rocuronium, following which a rigid cervical collar was applied. Comparison was then made between tracheal intubation techniques using either the AirTraq or CTrach device. The mean (SD) time to see the glottis was shorter with the Airtraq than the CTrach (11.9 (6.8) vs 37.6 (16.7)s, respectively; p < 0.001). The mean (SD) time taken for tracheal intubation was also shorter with the Airtraq than the CTrach (25.6 (13.5) and 66.3 (29.3)s, respectively; p < 0.001). There was less mucosal damage in the Airtraq group (p = 0.008). Our findings demonstrate that use of the Airtraq device shortened the tracheal intubation time and reduced the mucosal damage when compared with the CTrach in patients who require cervical spine immobilisation.

Tracheal intubation in morbidly obese patients: a comparison of the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway™ and Laryngeal Mask Airway CTrach™*

“…Our previous study in which the LMA CTrach and Airtraq used with rigid collar immobilisation showed that LMA CTrach's intubation time was significantly longer than that of the Airtraq, 7% of patients' tracheas were intubated blindly and 63% of patients in the LMA CTrach group needed optimisation manoeuvres [22].…”

Airtraq, LMA CTrach and Macintosh Laryngoscopes in Tracheal Intubation Training: A Randomized Comparative Manikin Study

“…The number of optimization manoeuvres was also found to be higher in the CTrach group than for the other groups. However, Arslan et al (27) reported less mucosal damage in the use of the Airtraq compared to the CTrach. The present study similarly indicated that there was less dental damage when the Airtraq was used for intubation, because the glottic view was easily provided and the requirement for optimization manoeuvres was low in the Airtraq.…”

A comparative study of endotracheal intubation as per intubation difficulty score, using Airtraq and McCoy laryngoscopes with manual-in-line axial stabilization of cervical spine in adult patients

“…12 Arslan et al evaluated the effectiveness of the Airtraq in patients with simulated cervical spine injury after application of a rigid cervical collar. 13 Considering these multiple benefits of Airtraq laryngoscope, in present study we evaluated the relative efficacies of this intubation technique when used by experienced anaesthesiologist in the clinical setting of cervical spine immobilisation with MILAS in normal adult patients undergoing general anaesthesia and compared it with the commonly used McCoy laryngoscope. In this study both the groups were comparable in terms of demographic parameters like age, height, weight, sex, ASA grade, Mallampatti classification and other airway parameters like mentothyroid, mentohyoid, mentosternal distances, interinciser gap.…”