Tracheal intubation using the Airtraq^®: a comparison with the lightwand

Abstract

SummaryThe Airtraq Ò laryngoscope is a new tracheal intubation device that has been developed for the management of normal and difficult airways. As with the lightwand, the Airtraq can be used without placing the patient in the 'sniffing position' for direct laryngoscopy. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and usability of the Airtraq with that of the lightwand during routine airway management. One hundred ASA 1-2 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly assigned to either the Airtraq (n = 50) or lightwand (n = 50). Intubation was performed by one of two anaesthetists experienced in the use of both devices. There was no difference in success rate, intubation time, and haemodynamic response between the two groups. In conclusion, the Airtraq Ò and lightwand have similar efficacy in patients without risk factors for difficult intubation.

Comparative evaluation of Airtraq™ optical Laryngoscope and Miller's blade in paediatric patients undergoing elective surgery requiring tracheal intubation: A randomized, controlled trial

“…[10] and Park et al . [11] also showed similar results regarding VAS score for ease of intubation in their studies.…”

A prospective randomised study of a rigid video‐stylet vs. conventional lightwand intubation in cervical spine‐immobilised patients

“…In clinical practice, however, manual in‐line stabilisation during intubation makes lightwand intubation difficult by hindering midline placement and free movement of the lightwand within the narrow oral cavity. Since lightwand intubation is performed in a blind manner that does not require the anatomy to be identified , there are risks of injury to airway structures due to repeated intubation attempts and frequent lightwand movements with in the oral cavity. Unlike a lightwand, the Optiscope allows visualisation of airway structures directly, especially the vocal cords, thereby being less traumatic.…”

Comparison between Glidescope and Lightwand for tracheal intubation in patients with a simulated difficult airway

“…In Lightwand group, the tip of the Lightwand (Surch-LiteTM Orotracheal Lighted Intubation Stylet, Bovie, USA) bent like a "hockey stick" before the jaw lift. The tracheal tube with Lightwand was approached through blind intubation by confirming transillumination [ 4 ]. We allowed a maximum of two tracheal intubation attempts, and planned to abandon our attempts to intubate if one attempt took more than 2 min, or if the oxygen saturation decreased to below 95%.…”

“…It can improve the view of the glottis and is therefore beneficial in patients with a difficult airway [ 3 ]. Lightwand is a stick featuring a light bulb at its tip, which can be used to perform a tracheal tube intubation blindly after confirmation that the bulb has passed the glottis and is illuminating the anterior neck clearly [ 4 ].…”