Ultrasound-guided versus Shikani optical stylet-aided tracheal intubation: a prospective randomized study

Abstract

Background: To compare ultrasound-guided tracheal intubation (UGTI) versus Shikani optical stylet (SOS)-aided tracheal intubation in patients with anticipated normal airway.Methods: Sixty patients aged 18-65 years old who presented for elective surgery under general anesthesia were recruited in this prospective randomized study. They were assigned into two equal groups, either an ultrasound-guided group (Group UG, n=30) or an SOS-aided group (Group SOS, n=30). After the induction of anesthesia, the tracheal intubation was performed by a specified skilled anesthesiologist. The number of tracheal intubation attempt and the duration of successful intubation on the first attempt were recorded. Complications relative to tracheal intubation including desaturation, hoarseness and sore throat were also recorded.Results: The first-attempt success rate is 93.3% (28/30) in Group UG and 90% (27/30) in Group SOS (P=0.640). The second-attempt was all successful for the 2 and 3 patients left in the two groups, and the overall success rate of both groups was 100%. The duration of successful intubation on the first attempt of Group UG was not significantly different from that of Group SOS (34.0±20.8s vs 35.5±23.2s, P=0.784). One patient in Group SOS had desaturation (P=0.313), and there was none hoarseness in the two groups. Sore throat was detected in both group (4 in Group UG, 5 in Group SOS, P= 0.718).Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided tracheal intubation was as effective as Shikani optical stylet-aided tracheal intubation in adult patients with anticipated normal airway.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IIC-17010875. Date of Registration: 15 March 2017.

Styletubation versus Laryngoscopy: A New Paradigm for Routine Tracheal Intubation

“…When optic rigid intubating stylet was designed and introduced clinically [35], this optic stylet was proposed to use as a laryngoscopy adjunct. When the epiglottis is not seen during laryngoscopy [164].On the other way around, laryngoscopy was found to be an adjunct to facilitate the application of VS [42,165,166]. Figure 14 shows a case of applying videolaryngoscopy to facilitate styletubation and also confirmed the proper position and depth of the ET tube placement.…”

Styletubation versus Laryngoscopy: A New Paradigm for Routine Tracheal Intubation

“…When an optic rigid intubating stylet was designed and introduced clinically [35], this optic stylet was proposed to use as a laryngoscopy adjunct, when the epiglottis is not seen during laryngoscopy [164]. On the other hand, laryngoscopy was found to be an adjunct to facilitate the application of VS [42,165,166]. Figure 14 shows a case of applying videolaryngoscopy to facilitate styletubation and also confirms the proper position and depth of the ET tube placement.…”