Fluoroscopic Comparison of Cervical Spine Motion Using LMA CTrach, C-MAC Videolaryngoscope and Macintosh Laryngoscope

Endotracheal intubation should be performed with care when cervical spine (C-spine) injury is suspected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the movement of the C-spine using fluoroscopy during intubation with Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) CTrach, C-MAC videolaryngoscope and Macintosh laryngoscope.

This was a single-centre, prospective, observational, controlled trial. In total, 22 surgical patients aged 18-65 years planned to undergo operation under general anaesthesia, were enrolled. X-ray images of the C-spine were obtained using fluoroscopy with the patients' head in a neutral position. All patients underwent laryngoscopy using a Macintosh blade, LMA CTrach and C-MAC videolaryngoscope, and fluoroscopic images of the C-spine were obtained. All the patients were intubated at the last laryngoscopy simulation (using the C-MAC). The atlanto-occipital distance (AOD) and angles between C₀C₁, C₀C₂, C₀C₃, C₀C₄, C₁C₂ and C₂C₃ lines were measured and compared between each device.

The mean AOD was measured as 20.4 mm in a neutral position, which decreased to 13.1, 17.2 and 12.3 mm after the insertion of the Macintosh laryngoscope, LMA CTrach and C-MAC videolaryngoscope, respectively. The differences were significant (p<0.001). Moreover, significant difference was noted in C₀C₂, C₀C₃ and C₁C₂ angles with the insertion of the three devices (p<0.001). The LMA CTrach resulted in significantly lesser C-spine movements in C₀C₂, C₀C₃ and C₀C₄ angles compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope and C-MAC videolaryngoscope (p<0.001).

The LMA CTrach resulted in lesser C-spine movements compared to Macintosh laryngoscope and C-MAC videolaryngoscope. In case of the C-spine injury, LMA CTrach may be preferred and may cause fewer traumas during endotracheal intubation.