None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to compare the views of the larynx or voice box obtained by two different commonly used laryngoscopes. A laryngoscope is a device designed to visualize a voice box to place a breathing tube into the trachea for airway support and safety during surgery. The two laryngoscopes are a Macintosh laryngoscope and a GlideScope Spectrum DirectView MAC™ video laryngoscope which are both commonly used throughout Australia and internationally in current practice. Video laryngoscopes, such as the GlideScope Spectrum DirectView MAC™, are commonly used for teaching medical professionals how to place breathing tubes. However, there is no evidence to confirm that the view of the voice box obtained with the GlideScope Spectrum DirectView MAC™ is the same as the standard Macintosh laryngoscope and this may have implications for quality of training.
Interventions
Patients scheduled for anaesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation will be randomised to direct laryngoscopy with either a Glidescope MAC blade or a standard MAC blade. Laryngoscopy will then be performed with this blade and the best airway grade will be recorded. Laryngoscopy will then be performed with the alternative blade and the best airway grade recorded followed by endotracheal intubation. Laryngoscopy will be performed by a consultant anaesthetist or provisional anaesthesia fellow. The trial will then be concluded. The Glidescope MAC blade has the same shape as the standard MAC blade however it is made from plastic instead of metal and has a camera on the end to facilitate videolaryngoscopy. Videolaryngoscopy will not be utilised in this trial and only direct laryngoscopy (looking directly into the mouth) will be done. Each laryngoscopy will take ~15-20 seconds. There will be no specific extra training as the Glidescope MAC blade is used in an identical manner to the standard MAC blade. There is no mandated rest period between blade use and they may be used immediately after each other.
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
Adult participants requiring endotracheal intubation as part of their anaesthesia management
Exclusion criteria
- Pregnancy - Body Mass Index greater than 40kg/m2 - ASA score of > 3 - Patients requiring rapid sequence induction - Patients who require non-routine airway management. - Patients who in the opinion of the treating anaesthetist are too unwell or unstable to participate safely.