GlideScope® vs flexible fibreoptic scope for elective intubation in obese patients.

Abstract

We hypothesised that in obese patients, tracheal intubation with the GlideScope® would be advantageous compared with flexible fibreoptic intubation. Seventy-five anaesthetised obese patients were randomly assigned to oral intubation by either GlideScope or flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope. We compared the two devices for time to intubate (p = 0.19), difficulty of intubation (p = 0.58), successful intubation on first attempt (p = 0.29), number of attempts (p = 0.24), incidence of hypoxaemia (p = 0.57), amount of post-intubation bleeding (p = 0.79) and sore throat (p = 0.82). None differed significantly. Median (IQR [range]) time to intubation was 37 (25-48 [19-81]) s and 95% of the first attempts were successful with the GlideScope, vs 43 (35-58 [26-96]) s and an 86% first-attempt success rate with the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope. For experienced users, the time required to intubate the trachea in anaesthetised obese patients is similar with the GlideScope and a flexible bronchoscope.