Airtraq optical laryngoscope: tracheal intubation by novice laryngoscopists

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the Airtraq optical laryngoscope for tracheal intubation by novice laryngoscopists, compared with that of the Macintosh laryngoscope. Methods: Under supervision by staff anaesthetists, non-anaesthesia physicians performed tracheal intubation using either the Airtraq optical laryngoscope (n = 100) or the Macintosh laryngoscope (n = 100). The time required for airway instrumentation, the number of attempts until successful intubation and erroneous oesophageal intubation were investigated. Results: The time to secure the airway was shorter with the Airtraq optical laryngoscope than with the Macintosh laryngoscope (p < 0.001). The number of attempts until successful intubation was smaller with the Airtraq optical laryngoscope than with the Macintosh laryngoscope (p, 0.001). Erroneous oesophageal intubation was less with the Airtraq optical laryngoscope than with the Macintosh laryngoscope (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The Airtraq optical laryngoscope reduces the time to secure the airway and the incidence of failed tracheal intubation by novice laryngoscopists.