MS#25 Success rates and endotracheal tube insertion times of experienced emergency physicians

Eur J Anaesthesiol 2011;28:849–858
Wolfgang A. Wetsch, Martin Carlitscheck, Oliver Spelten, Peter Teschendorf, Martin Hellmich, Harald V. Genzwurker and Jochen Hinkelbein

Context No randomised controlled trial has yet compared different video laryngoscopes in respect of the success rates and the time taken to achieve endotracheal intubation in trapped car accident victims.

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether five video laryngoscopes facilitate tracheal intubation more quickly or more securely than conventional laryngoscopy.

Design Prospective, controlled, randomised crossover trial.

Setting An airway manikin was placed on the driver’s seat of a compact car. Access was possible only through the opened driver’s door.

Participants Twenty-five experienced anaesthetists. Intervention Tracheal intubation in a simulated trapped patient using video laryngoscopes in a typical out-of-hospital

Conclusion When attempting to intubate a trapped car accident victim, video laryngoscopes provide a better view of the glottis, but some delay tracheal intubation significantly. The devices with a tube guide (Airtraq and Ambu Pentax AWS) enable tracheal intubation to be achieved significantly faster and with a lower failure rate than devices without a tube guide

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