[Laryngoscope. Evaluation of a device for preventing blade contamination]

To evaluate the efficacy and the difficulty of use of a disposable sheath which prevents the contamination of blades.

Prospective bacteriological, virological and clinical evaluation.

A translucid cover sheath, made of polyethylene enclosing the blade of the laryngoscope, and delivered in clean, non-sterile packaging (Prolam, Péters).

1) A control of sterility performed by setting-up a culture derived from the solution used for rinsing the device before its use. 2) An in vitro study of the effectiveness of preventing contamination of the blades by a polio virus/RT-PCR technique. 3) Clinical evaluation: after 200 orotracheal intubations by 12 anaesthesiologists and 15 nurse anaesthetists, a questionnaire on the ease of use was completed.

The bacteriological study of the sheats before use showed an acceptable level of contamination. The sheath was an effective barrier against poliovirus, even after 12 h of immersion. Clinically, the sheath was easily adapted over the blade of the laryngoscope in 98% of the cases. Insertion in the mouth was considered as easy in 94% of the patients. The visualization was good or excellent in 83% of the cases and in 16% of the patients, the users experienced difficulties to intubate.

The laryngoscope blade sheath is simple and easy to use, efficient and not expensive.