A Hospital Based Comparative Study to Evaluate the Intubating Conditions with Airtaq Laryngoscope and Macintosh Laryngoscope in Elective Adult Surgical Patients

Abstract

Background: Endotracheal intubation is considered to be the “Gold Standard” for airway management during administration of general anaesthesia. The aim of this study to compared the intubating conditions with Airtraq laryngoscope and Macintosh laryngoscope in elective adult surgical patients. Materials & Methods: A hospital based prospective study was conducted on 50 adult patients satisfying inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent in department of anaesthesia in Ananta Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajsamand, Rajasthan. After assessment patient shifted to operating room. Line started and monitors connected. Patient allotted to either Airtraq or Macintosh group by way of sealed envelopes. Cook’s modification of Cormack and Lehane grading⁷ and Intubation Difficulty Score were noted. If intubation with Airtraq failed and saturation maintained, Macintosh blade was used for intubation and if the saturation decreased, mask ventilation with 100% oxygen followed by intubation with Macintosh laryngoscope. Results: Our study showed that the mean age, sex distribution and Body Mass Index of the patients in both the group were compared and there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Mean duration of intubation with the Airtraq group was 11.07 secs in the Macintosh group it was found to be 17.19 secs. It was computed using Levene’s T test and was found to be statistically significant. 2 patients in the Airtraq group and 3 patients in the Macintosh group experienced trauma to the airways and all the injuries were to the soft tissues. Cormack and Lehane grade of both the group of patients were compared to grade the laryngeal view. 92% of patients in the Airtraq group had a CL grade of 1, compared to 44% of patients in the Macintosh group. Conclusion: In conclusion, the Airtraq laryngoscope offers a new approach to tracheal intubation of patients with anticipated and unanticipated difficult airway. The Airtraq reduced the difficulty of tracheal intubation and the degree of hemodynamic stimulation compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope.