Comparison of the intubation success rate between the intubating catheter and videolaryngoscope in difficult airways: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Several devices and algorithms have already been examined and compared for difficult airway management. However, there is no existing study comparing the success of the Intubating Catheter (IC) and the Videolaryngoscope (VL) in patients who are difficult to intubate. We aimed to compare Frova IC and McGrath VL in terms of intubation success rates in patients with difficult intubation. METHODS: This prospective, randomized study was performed in an university hospital. Patients who underwent an operation under general anesthesia and whom airway management process was deemed difficult were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups by envelopes containing a number: the intubating catheter group (Group IC), intubated using the Frova IC, and the videolaryngoscope group (Group VL), intubated using the McGrath VL. Study data were collected by a technician who was blind to the study groups and the type of device used in the intubation procedure. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients with difficult airway were included in the study, including 25 patients in the Frova IC Group and 24 patients in the McGrath VL Group. The rate of successful intubation was determined to be 88% in Group IC and 66% in Group VL (p = 0.074). The mean duration of intubation attempt in Group VL was 44.62 seconds, whereas in Group IC, it was 51.12 seconds (p = 0.593). Group VL was found to have a significantly lower Cormack-Lehane grade compared to Group IC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Frova IC is a candidate to be an indispensable instrument in terms of cost-effectiveness in clinics such as anesthesia and emergency medicine, where difficult intubation cases are frequently encountered. However, the combination of Frova IC and McGrath VL seems to be more successful in difficult intubation situations, so future studies should focus on using these two devices together.

A comparative randomized trial of intubation success in difficult intubation cases: the use of a Frova intubation catheter versus a Bonfils intubation fiberoscope.

INTRODUCTION: A difficult airway is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo surgical interventions. Therefore, many devices and algorithms have been developed for the management of a difficult airway. However no study has been conducted comparing Frova catheter (FC) and a Bonfils fiberoscope (BF) to date. AIM: To compare the effectiveness and success of two devices, a FC and BF, in difficult intubation cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Design: Single-centre randomized controlled trial in patients with difficult airways. The assignment order was created by unplanned number charts, and the assignment was hidden in closed covers, which were not unlocked until case permission had been provided. Setting: The trial was undertaken in a university hospital in Turkey. The primary analysis was based on 60 participants (n = 30, n = 30) with difficult intubation. The main outcomes were the success rates of placement of the tracheal tube in the trachea and the duration of the tracheal intubation process. RESULTS: In the BF group, successful intubation was carried out in 25 of the 30 (83.3%) patients, whereas intubation was successful in 28 of the 30 patients (93.3%) in the FC group. Patients who could not be intubated with the first device were intubated with the other device. The mean duration of intubation was 109 (85-140) s in the BF group, whereas it was 38.8 (26-60) s in the FC group. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices were successful in difficult intubation cases. However, given the shorter duration of intubation using the FC and its lower cost as compared with that of the BF, the FC can be considered superior to the BF in difficult intubation cases.

A Novel and Modified Technique in the Prone Position for Radiotherapy Processes in Children.

The i-gel has a thick airway tube and occasionally, achieving the airway can be difficult because of obstruction in the prone position. The authors aimed at solving this problem and used a modified i-gel airway in the prone position for radiotherapy processes in children.