Comparison of optical laryngoscope and the ordinary laryngoscope for emergency endotracheal intubation

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and advantage of the TruviewTM EVO2(R) optical laryngoscope in comparison with the commonly used laryngoscope for the endotracheal intubation in patients in the emergency setting. Method Thirty-six patients in need for emergency endotracheal intubation in our hospital from February to May 2009 were randomly assigned to give intubation by using a TruviewTM EVO2(R) optical laryngoscope (T group) or a commonly used laryngoscope(R group). Cormack and Lehane laryngoscope grade (the degree of exposure of glottis by using laryngoscope), IDS (Intubation Difficulty Scale) score, the time taken for successful intubation, lowest SpO2 and the complication during intubation were essential factors for comparison between two groups. Results Our data showed that there was no difference in duration of the successful endotracheal intubation attempts between these two groups (respectively 22.73 ± 7.66 s and 19.91 ± 8.03 s, P ＞ 0. 05). However, the glottis exposure condition was significantly improved with TruviewTM EVO2(R) optical laryngoscope (P ＜ 0.01). The average IDS score for patients in T group was 0.33 ± 0.49, which is much lower than those in the R group (4.11± 0.90, P ＜ 0.01). In addition, the average SpO2 value measured in T group during the intubation operation was significantly higher than that in R group (98.87±0.74% and 91.45 ±4.86% respectively, P ＜0.01) and there was less complication observed in patients of T group. Conclusions Using TruviewTM EVO2(R) optical laryngoscope for emergency endotracheal intubation could help to expose the glottis in an ideal view, predominately lower the C/L grade and thus decrease the difficulty in intubation for clinicians. Its specially designed oxygen supplier allows the SpO2 to be maintained at a high level during the operation as well as reduce the incidence of complication. It is therefore extremely useful for emergency tracheal intubation, particularly a difficulty intubation situation. Key words: TruviewTM EVO2(R) laryngoscope;  Emergency tracheal intubation;  C/L grade;  Glottis exposure; Complication