Pentax-AWS, a new videolaryngoscope, is more effective than the Macintosh laryngoscope for tracheal intubation in patients with restricted neck movements: a randomized comparative study

Abstract Background We studied whether laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were easier when using the Pentax-AWS (Tokyo, Japan), a new videolaryngoscope, than when applying the Macintosh laryngoscope, during manual in-line neck stabilization. Methods In 203 anaesthetized patients with manual in-line neck stabilization, we inserted the Pentax-AWS and a Macintosh laryngoscope, in turn, and recorded the view of the glottis and time taken to laryngoscopy. The success rate of tracheal intubation (within 120 s) and time to intubation were also recorded. Results The view of the glottis was significantly better with the Pentax-AWS than with the Macintosh laryngoscope ( P P =0.001). Time taken for intubation was similar between the Macintosh laryngoscope [51 (27) s] and the Pentax-AWS [54 (14) s] (95% CI for difference: −9 to 3 s). Conclusions In patients with stabilized neck, the Pentax-AWS provided a better view of the glottis and a higher success rate of tracheal intubation, compared with the conventional Macintosh laryngoscope.