Comparison of two video-assisted techniques for the difficult intubation.

Abstract

Two recently developed video-optical intubation devices, the video-optical intubation stylet (VOIS) and the angled video intubation laryngoscope (AVIL) were compared for intubation times and success rate in a simulated difficult tracheal intubation setting. Thirty anaesthetists were asked to perform 5 intubation attempts with both techniques. Intubation times were recorded and the subjective degree of difficulty and preference for each technique were requested. Intubation time with the VOIS was shorter (17.4+/-6.8 s) than with the AVIL (22.8+/-13.4 s; P=0.0001). Four of the 150 intubation attempts with the AVIL were scored as unsuccessful, due to prolonged intubation time (>60 s). The estimated degree of difficulty was not significantly different. In conclusion, both video-assisted intubation devices, the video-optical intubation stylet and the angled video intubation laryngoscope, can be considered to be simple and effective tools which facilitate tracheal intubation and which require only brief instruction and training.