Skip to content

Comparison of views of the larynx obtained by direct laryngoscopy using a traditional Macintosh laryngoscope vs direct laryngoscopy using a GlideScope Spectrum DirectView MAC™ video laryngoscope

Comparison of views of the larynx obtained on simultaneous assessment by direct laryngoscopy using a traditional Macintosh laryngoscope vs direct laryngoscopy using a GlideScope Spectrum DirectView MAC™ video laryngoscope. Is the direct view comparable? Implications for the use of the GlideScope as a training tool.

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12625000538448
Acronym
Direct View Study
Enrollment
46
Registered
2025-05-27
Start date
2023-09-26
Completion date
2025-05-30
Last updated
2025-09-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

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

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

Austin Health
Lead SponsorHospital

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

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.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026