CS#22 Airway topical anesthesia using the Airtraq in patients with difficult airways

International Anesthesia Research Society  DOI: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181990a82
Thomas C. Mort, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, Hartford Hospital, USA

Seventy-two patients were evaluated, and 51 met the “no view” criteria.  Thirty-seven patients had previous difficult intubation

Excellent visualization was possible with each of the three devices, Airtraq, Glidescope and McGrath,  in the vast majority of patients.

Visualization of structures was ample for the ETT exchange and confirmation of tracheal reintubation, especially in light of the “no view” offered by conventional laryngoscopy.

Forty-seven of 49 patients (96%) were reintubated on the first attempt.

This review supports the feasibility of using advanced laryngoscopy for ETT exchange because of its ability to offer a marked improvement in visualizing the periglottic structures in the difficult airway patient.

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