Using video stylet improves the efficiency of double-lumen endobronchial tube intubation

Background: Although the video stylet proved an effective tool for endotracheal intubation, it is not determined in double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT) intubation. Aims and objectives: The study is to investigate the clinical efficiency of the video stylet for DLT intubation with direct laryngoscope. Methods: Forty patients were prospectively randomized and allocated into the direct laryngoscope (DL) group (n = 20) or video stylet (VS) group (n = 20). Total intubation time was measured as the primary outcome and categorized into T1 time (mouth opening to seeing the vocal cords on the screen of GlideScope) and T2 time (placing tube into trachea and CO2 waveforms shown on monitor). Post-intubation complications were also recorded. Results: Total intubation time was significantly shorter in VS group than in DL group (27.6 ± 3.9 vs. 48.2 ± 10.4 s, p The incidence and severity of hoarseness on the first postoperative day was lower in the VS group than in the DL group (incidence: p = 0.025, severity: p = 0.021). Conclusion: Compared with using a laryngoscope, using video stylet for DLT intubation saves intubation time and lowers the incidence of hoarseness on the first postoperative day.