Clinical comparisons between GlideScope video laryngoscope and Trachlight in simulated cervical spine instability.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the time taken for tracheal intubation, hemodynamic changes, and perioperative morbidities between the GlideScope (GS) video laryngoscope and the Trachlight (TL) with manual inline stabilization.

DESIGN: Prospective, controlled, randomized study.

SETTING: Operating room.

PATIENTS: 60 ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for elective surgery with general anesthesia.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to the GS group or TL group (n = 30 for each group).

MEASUREMENTS: Noninvasive blood pressure and heart rate at preinduction; preintubation and one, three, and 5 minutes after successful intubation; grade of face mask ventilation; number of intubation attempts; intubation time; apnea duration; mucosal trauma; lip or dental injury; and presence of hypoxia, were all recorded.

MAIN RESULTS: The intubation attempts and perioperative safety data were comparable between the two groups. Intubation time and apnea duration were significantly shorter in the TL group than the GS group. All variables one minute after intubation were greater than baseline values except systolic blood pressure (SBP) in TL group. Both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the degree of change of SBP from the baseline value one minute after intubation in TL group were significantly less than those of the GS group.

CONCLUSIONS: Trachlight offers a faster intubation and a milder hemodynamic response than GS.