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A Two-Operator Technique for GlideScope-Assisted Endotracheal Intubation

A Two-Operator Technique for GlideScope-Assisted Endotracheal Intubation: Does It Yield a Similar Success Rate? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06727513
Enrollment
388
Registered
2024-12-11
Start date
2025-01-01
Completion date
2026-05-29
Last updated
2026-06-02

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

Conditions

Airway Trauma, Intubation Complication, Intubation; Difficult or Failed

Brief summary

The primary objective of this study is to compare the first attempt success rate of endotracheal intubation using the GlideScope video laryngoscope when performed by two operators versus a single operator. Secondary objectives include assessing the time to intubate, the need for optimization maneuvers, the effect of the presence of predictors of difficult intubation, the occurrence of adverse events during intubation such as oxyhemoglobin desaturation to less than 90% measured by pulse oximetry, the incidence of airway trauma, and the incidence and severity of post-op sore throat. The main question it aims to answer is: Is endotracheal intubation performed using the Glidescope video laryngoscope with an intubating stylet by two operators, non-inferior to the same procedure performed by single operator in terms of first attempt success rate? Researchers will compare first attempt success rate of endotracheal intubation using the GlideScope video laryngoscope when performed by two operators versus a single operator to see if assistance in using the GlideScope provides similar first attempt success rate of endotracheal intubation and thus guarantees securing a difficult airway. Participants will be enrolled in one of two groups over 9 months of work. They will be further stratified into blocks according to the presence of at least one predictor of difficult intubation. Patients allocated to the control group will be intubated using the GlideScope by a single operator and those allocated to the experimental group will be intubated using the GlideScope with the assistance of a second operator.

Detailed description

GlideScope-assisted flexible fiberoptic intubation has been successfully used in cases of anticipated and unexpected difficult airways. This technique depends on two operators where the second operator assists in holding the GlideScope while intubation is being attempted by the first operator. However, it is not yet established whether this two-operator technique has any effect on the success rate of first-attempt intubation by the GlideScope video laryngoscope. The primary objective of this study is to compare the first attempt success rate of endotracheal intubation using the GlideScope video laryngoscope when performed by two operators versus a single operator. Secondary objectives include assessing the time to intubate, the need for optimization maneuvers, the effect of the presence of predictors of difficult intubation, the occurrence of adverse events during intubation such as oxyhemoglobin desaturation to less than 90% measured by pulse oximetry, the incidence of airway trauma, and the incidence and severity of post-operative sore throat. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 428 patients (214 in each group) adult patients will be enrolled in one of two groups over 9 months of work. They will be further stratified into blocks according to the presence of at least one predictor of difficult intubation. Patients allocated to the control group will be intubated using the GlideScope by a single operator (the resident on the study). Those allocated to the experimental group will be intubated using the GlideScope with the assistance of a second operator (the resident and the attending physician). In both groups, the time to intubate will be measured by the attendings on the study, along with other parameters collected by the resident on the study. If intubation fails, the airway will be subsequently managed using any technique deemed appropriate by the attending anesthesiologist. Data comparing the success rate of endotracheal intubation when a second operator assists in holding the GlideScope is missing. This two-operator technique is essential in the new multimodal airway management involving video-assisted flexible fiberoptic intubation. Our study will determine whether the assistance in using the GlideScope provides similar first attempt success rate of endotracheal intubation and thus guarantees securing a difficult airway.

Interventions

PROCEDUREA single-operator technique for GlideScope intubation.

A single-operator technique where the senior resident will insert the GlideScope and perform the endotracheal intubation using an angulated stylet.

PROCEDUREA double-operator technique for GlideScope intubation

A double-operator technique where the senior resident will insert the GlideScope until visualizing an optimal glottic view, then the attending physician will take over the GlideScope keeping it in the same fixed position, while the resident performs the endotracheal intubation using an angulated stylet.

Sponsors

American University of Beirut Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Adult population ≥ 18 years of age * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I to III * Elective procedures * Patients requiring orotracheal intubation with a single-lumen tube under general anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) IV or V * Emergency procedures * Patients who require awake or asleep fiberoptic intubation * Patients who require nasal intubation * Patients who require double-lumen endotracheal tube (ETT) * Patients who are already intubated * Patients who require rapid sequence induction (uncontrolled Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, full stomach) * Patients with an oropharyngeal/laryngeal pathology (tumor, abscess) * Patients with maxillary or mandibular fracture

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
First attempt success rate of endotracheal intubationRecorded during the procedureFirst attempt success rate of endotracheal intubation measured by Yes/No

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Time to intubateRecorded during the procedureTime to intubate measured in seconds
The need for optimization maneuversRecorded during the procedureThe need for optimization maneuvers measured by Yes/No
Occurrence of adverse events during intubationRecorded during the procedureOccurrence of adverse events during intubation such as oxyhemoglobin desaturation to less than 90% measured by pulse oximetry
The incidence of airway traumaRecorded during the procedureThe incidence of airway trauma measured by Yes/No
Incidence and severity of post-operative sore throatPost-operative sore throat measured one hour after transfer to post anesthesia care unitIncidence and severity of post-operative sore throat measured by Yes/No and low pain/high pain

Countries

Lebanon

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORRoland Kaddoum, MD

American University of Beirut Medical Center

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 3, 2026