Comparison of the GlideScope Cobalt® and Storz DCI® Video Laryngoscopes in Children Younger Than 2 Years of Age During Manual In-Line Stabilization: A Randomized Trainee Evaluation Study.

OBJECTIVES: Video laryngoscopy facilitates tracheal intubation during manual in-line stabilization in adults, but it is not clear whether these findings translate to children. We compared trainee intubation times obtained using the GlideScope Cobalt® and Storz DCI® video laryngoscopes versus direct laryngoscopy in young children with immobilized cervical spines. METHODS: Ninety-three children younger than 2 years underwent laryngoscopy with manual in-line stabilization using direct laryngoscopy, GlideScope Cobalt® video laryngoscopy, or Storz DCI® video laryngoscopy. Laryngoscopists were anesthesiology trainees in postgraduate training year of 3 or more. Total time to successful intubation (TTSI), best glottic view, and maximum degrees of neck deviation were recorded. An intubation time difference longer than 10 seconds was defined as clinically significant. RESULTS: Data are reported as median; 95% confidence interval. The TTSI was similar among groups although Storz times were longer (median, 33.3 seconds; 95% confidence interval, 26.2-43.3 seconds) when compared to direct laryngoscopy (median, 23.3 seconds; 95% confidence interval, 20.7-26.5 seconds; P = 0.02). Obtaining a grade 1 Cormack-Lehane glottic view was less likely with direct laryngoscopy (P = 0.002). Maximum degrees of neck deviation were: Storz (median, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.8), GlideScope (median, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-2.6), and direct laryngoscopy (median, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.1; P = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Trainees were able to safely perform tracheal intubation in children younger than 2 years using any of the studied laryngoscopes, although Storz use resulted in a longer TTSI when compared to direct laryngoscopy. Video laryngoscopy may enhance best Cormack-Lehane glottic view during manual in-line cervical spine immobilization, but additional technical skills are needed to successfully complete tracheal intubation.

Continuous Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring in an Infant With Tetra-Amelia.

Tetra-amelia syndrome is a congenital disorder associated with near or complete absence of all 4 limbs. Noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring may be difficult or impossible in such patients. We describe the use of a finger cuff blood pressure system for continuous noninvasive blood pressure monitoring in an infant with near-complete tetra-amelia undergoing laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. This case suggests the potential use of such a blood pressure monitoring system for other patients with comparable deformities.

COMPARISON OF INDIRECT VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPES IN CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN TWO YEARS OF AGE: A RANDOMIZED TRAINEE EVALUATION STUDY.

BACKGROUND: Gaining proficiency with various airway management tools is an important goal for anesthesiology training. Indirect video laryngoscopes facilitate tracheal intubation in adults, but it is not clear whether these findings translate to children. This study evaluates the total time to successful intubation when performed by anesthesiology trainees using GlideScope Cobalt® video laryngoscopy (GlideScope), Storz DCI® video laryngoscopy (Storz), or direct laryngoscopy (Direct) in children <2 years old with normal airway anatomy. METHODS: Sixty-five children presenting for elective surgery were randomly assigned to undergo tracheal intubation using GlideScope, Storz, or Direct. Laryngoscopists were anesthesiology trainees in clinical anesthesia year ≥2 who had proven basic proficiency with each laryngoscope on an infant airway manikin. Total time to successful intubation (TTSI, seconds), rate of successful intubation on first laryngoscopy attempt, and the change in intubation time from manikin to clinical settings were recorded. An intubation time difference >10 seconds was defined as clinically significant. RESULTS: TTSI was longer for Storz (42.1; 34.0 to 59.0) than for Direct (21.5; 17.0 to 34.3; p=0.002). We were not able to demonstrate a difference >10 seconds between the GlideScope and the other laryngoscopes. Median manikin intubation time was <10 seconds and increased significantly in the clinical setting for all laryngoscopes (all p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiology trainees completed manikin tracheal intubation rapidly with all laryngoscopes studied, but required a clinically significant longer time to tracheally intubate children <2 years. Our findings suggest in vivo training should be included to facilitate proficiency with device-specific intubation techniques.

Management of Near-Complete Airway Obstruction Caused by a Vallecular Cyst in an Infant Using a Tongue Tip Traction Suture.

Airway obstruction in infants can be because of a number of airway issues, one of which is a vallecular cyst. Although uncommonly seen, the management strategy for this difficult airway can be applied to many other difficult airway cases. We report the use of a preoperative oral fiberoptic assessment of the airway, use of a tongue stitch, and manipulation of a flexible nasal fiberoptic bronchoscope to secure the airway. Keeping the patient breathing spontaneously with low-dose ketamine also facilitated successful tracheal intubation.