Is the Ambu aScope 3 Slim single-use fiberscope equally efficient compared with a conventional bronchoscope for management of the difficult airway?

Abstract Study Objective The study objective was to evaluate whether the single-use fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB), Ambu aScope 3 Slim, was equally efficient compared with the conventional reusable FOB, Olympus LF-GP, for nasal fiberoptic intubation in a manikin. Design A randomized crossed-over study. Setting The postanesthesia care unit of Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital. Subjects Twenty anesthesiologists who have experienced >50 one-lung ventilation thoracic surgery procedures were invited to participate in this study. Interventions A 6.5-mm internal diameter cuffed endotracheal tube (ET) was inserted into the manikin under Ambu aScope 3 Slim (group A) or Olympus LF-GP (group C) guidance. Measurements The following time parameters from the beginning of FOB insertion through a nostril were compared between groups: until vocal cord visualization (T1); visualization of the carina (T2); and proper ET placement, as confirmed by the distance of the ET tip to carina (T3). Main Results Mean (SD) T1 in group A and group C were 20 seconds (17 seconds) and 14 seconds (12 seconds), respectively ( P = .1050). Mean (SD) T2 in group A and group C were 40 seconds (29 seconds) and 25 seconds (15 seconds), respectively ( P = .0287). Mean (SD) T3 in group A and group C were 70 seconds (33 seconds) and 50 seconds (22 seconds), respectively ( P = .0098). One case in group A had failed intubation Conclusions The Ambu aScope 3 Slim required more time to intubate than the conventional reusable FOB. It requires more rigidity, similar to the conventional FOB for management of the difficult airway.