Intubation by paramedics using the ILMA or AirTraq, KingVision, and Macintosh laryngoscopes in vehicle-entrapped...

Four devices were compared in a simulated scenario of a vehicle-entrapped patient: standard Macintosh laryngoscope, intubating laryngeal mask (ILMA), AirTraq optical laryngoscope, and KingVision videolaryngoscope. A group of 30 final-year paramedic students intubated a manikin placed in a sitting position under a desk simulating the roof of a car. Time of endotracheal intubation and success ratio were recorded. The baseline time of intubation was measured in a manikin lying down flat on the ground. The mean time to intubation was 13.9±6.6, 24.7±4.7, 25.2±3.7, and 23.9±4.2 s; the first attempt success ratios for devices were 29/30, 18/30, 6/30, and 18/30; and the baseline time of intubation was 14.3±6.5, 16.7±4.7, 22.9±12.6, and 18.1±5.0 s for ILMA, Macintosh laryngoscope, Airtraq, and KingVision, respectively. In emergency situations with very limited access to the patient, ILMA is the most effective device for intubation by paramedics.