CS#44 The Learning Curve for Laryngoscopy: Airtraq Versus Macintosh Laryngoscopes

J Anesth DOI 10.1007/s00540-012-1351-4
Marco Baciarello • Michele Zasa • Maria Elena Manferdini • Michela Tosi • Marco Berti • Guido Fanelli

Purpose Airtraq use by inexperienced personnel has been evaluated in simulator studies, but little is known about the learning process in real patients. This prospective study was designed to compare learning curves for laryngoscopy with the Airtraq or Macintosh laryngoscopes in patients under general anesthesia.

Methods Ten medical students with no prior experience in airway management were recruited on a voluntary basis and underwent training in Macintosh and Airtraq laryngoscopy. Patients with no difficult intubation criteria were enrolled after consent. Each student performed laryngoscopy with either device on ten consecutive patients. Success was defined as Cormack–Lehane grading B2. We also recorded subjective difficulty scores on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Learning curves were drawn usingcumulative success rates and 95% confidence intervals calculated with bootstrap procedures

Conclusion Students achieved higher success rates usingthe Airtraq laryngoscope during early training on live patients. The Airtraq may be a useful choice for teaching advanced airway management.

Download CS#44