[Performance of the glottiscopes: a randomized comparative study on difficult intubation simulation manikin]

We have prospectively compared simulated-difficult tracheal intubation characteristics of four glottiscopes: Airtraq, GlideScope, McGrath, LMA CTrach with that of the conventional Macintosh laryngoscope.

prospective with the airway devices proposed in a randomly assigned order.

Forty-two physicians, naïve to glottiscope handling accepted participating this study after the learning curve of each airway device was completed. Participants were requested to perform two series of five tracheal intubations on the manikin Airman, the first in standard situation and the second in difficult tracheal intubation simulation. The airway devices were chosen in a randomly assigned order. For each airway tool, the following tracheal intubation characteristics were recorded: laryngeal exposure quality, tracheal intubation and apnea durations. A performance index was calculated and a tracheal intubation difficulty was measured during simulation.

More than 1600 supervised tracheal intubations were performed, including 1000 for the learning process of the glottiscopes, which was completed after 10 uses on the manikin. During standard situation, laryngeal exposure quality was similar with the five airway devices. As compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope, GlideScope, McGrath, tracheal intubation duration was shorter (p<0.05) with the Airtraq and longer (p<0.01) with the LMA CTrach. During difficult tracheal intubation simulation, laryngeal exposure and tracheal intubation duration was of better quality and shorter with the four glottiscopes as compared to that of LM, respectively. Performance index during difficult tracheal intubation simulation simulation was significantly more important (p<0.01) with the Airtraq and the LMA CTrach. Airtraq and Macintosh laryngoscope were respectively the simplest (p<0.01) and the most difficult (p<0.01) airway devices to manage a simulated difficult tracheal intubation.

When difficult airway was simulated on the manikin, the four glottiscopes were superior to the Macintosh laryngoscope to improve laryngeal exposure quality and to reduce duration of tracheal intubation. Airtraq and the LMA CTrach both demonstrated remarkable advantage over GlideScope and McGrath for simulated difficult intubation management.