Airway Scope and gum elastic bougie with Macintosh laryngoscope for tracheal intubation in patients with simulated restricted neck mobility

Background. Airway Scope is a new videolaryngoscope which requires less cervical movement during intubation than direct laryngoscopy. Thus, in patients wearing a rigid cervical collar, we compared the efficacy of the Airway Scope and the gum elastic bougie with Macintosh laryngoscope during tracheal intubation. Methods. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium. A rigid cervical collar was applied, and patients were randomly assigned to tracheal intubation with an Airway Scope (n = 48) or multiple-use gum elastic bougie with Macintosh laryngoscope (n = 48). Measurements included intubation time, gum elastic bougie insertion time, intubation success rate, and insertion and intubation attempts. Airway complications were also recorded. Results. The time required for successful intubation was significantly shorter with the Airway Scope compared with the gum elastic bougie with Macintosh laryngoscope [mean (SD) 34 (13) vs 49 (27) s, P = 0.001], although the overall success rate of the Airway Scope (100%) compared with the gum elastic bougie with Macintosh laryngoscope (90%) did not reach the statistical significance (P = 0.056). Oesophageal intubation (n = 8) occurred only with the gum elastic bougie with Macintosh laryngoscope. Incidence of mucosal trauma and lip injury was similar with each device. No dental injury or hypoxia occurred with either device. Conclusions. The Airway Scope shortens intubation time, is less likely to result in oesophageal intubation, and may offer a marginally higher intubation success rate in patients with simulated restricted neck mobility.