Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Flexible nasal bronchoscopy vs. Airtraq ® videolaryngoscopy for awake tracheal intubation: a randomised controlled non-inferiority study.

Anaesthesia 2023 May 16
Videolaryngoscopy is a suitable alternative to flexible bronchoscopy to facilitate awake tracheal intubation. The relative effectiveness of these techniques in clinical practice is unknown. We compared flexible nasal bronchoscopy with Airtraq® videolaryngoscopy in patients with an anticipated difficult airway scheduled for awake tracheal intubation. Patients were allocated randomly to flexible nasal bronchoscopy or videolaryngoscopy. All procedures were performed with upper airway regional anaesthesia blockade and a target-controlled intravenous infusion of remifentanil. The success rate with the allocated technique was the primary outcome. A non-inferiority analysis with a predefined limit of 8% was planned. Seventy-eight patients were recruited, allocated randomly and analysed. The rate of successful intubation was 97% and 82% in the flexible bronchoscopy and videolaryngoscopy groups, respectively, p = 0.032. The median (IQR [range]) time to tracheal intubation was shorter with the Airtraq, 163 (105-332 [40-1004]) vs. 217 (180-364 [120-780]) s, p = 0.030. There were no significant differences for complications found between the groups. The median visual analogue scale for ease of intubation was 8 (7-9 [0-10]) for Airtraq vs. 8 (7-9 [0-10]) for flexible bronchoscopy, p = 0.710. The median visual analogue scale for patient comfort for Airtraq was 8 (6-9 [2-10]) vs. 8 (7-9 [3-10]) for flexible bronchoscopy, p = 0.370. The Airtraq videolaryngoscope is not non-inferior to flexible bronchoscopy for awake tracheal intubation in a clinical setting when awake tracheal intubation is indicted. It may be a suitable alternative when judged on a case-by-case basis.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app