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Comparison of Awake Tracheal Intubation Methods

A Comparison of Three Difficult Intubation Techniques in Patients With Anticipated Difficult Intubation: A Prospective, Randomized, Parallel-group Clinical Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07484841
Acronym
ATI
Enrollment
201
Registered
2026-03-20
Start date
2026-03-20
Completion date
2028-06-20
Last updated
2026-08-26

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

Conditions

Airway Management Assessment, Awake Endotracheal Intubation, Awake Fiberoptic Nasal Intubation, Supraglottic Airway Device Insertion, Videolaryngoscopy

Keywords

videolaryngoscopy, awake tracheal intubation, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, aintree catheter

Brief summary

The aim of this study was to compare three different awake tracheal intubation technique -fiberoptic bronchoscopy (ATI:FB), videolaryngoscopy (ATI:VL), and fiberoptic bronchoscopy via a supraglottic airway device (ATI:SAD)- in terms of success rates, intubation times, and complications. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the reliability of the SAD-assisted ATI method and its potential to contribute to the literature.

Detailed description

Awake tracheal intubation (ATI) is a technique considered the gold standard for managing anticipated difficult airways. The success of ATI is based on two key physiological advantages: the preservation of spontaneous breathing and the maintenance of airway tone. Traditionally, ATI is performed using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (ATI:FB). However, in recent years, ATI techniques performed using video laryngoscopy (ATI:VL) have also become widespread and have particularly stood out for their shorter intubation times. Although randomized studies directly comparing ATI:FB and ATI:VL techniques are limited in the literature, an increasing number of studies are evaluating the comparative efficacy of these techniques. On the other hand, while supraglottic airway devices (SADs) are traditionally used as rescue ventilation devices, current guidelines indicate that they can also serve as a channel for awake intubation in conjunction with fiberoptic bronchoscopy . Various case series and small-scale observational studies exist on this topic. However, there are no prospective studies directly comparing SAD use during ATI with traditional methods such as ATI:FB and ATI:VL. This gap in the literature forms the primary rationale for our study. The ATI:SAD method currently used in our clinic is a technique in which the Aintree catheter and fiberoptic bronchoscope are utilized via SAD. This method offers advantages such as the ability to continuously monitor spontaneous breathing and maintain uninterrupted oxygenation. In this context, our study aims not only to demonstrate the efficacy of the ATI:SAD method but also to contribute this method to the literature.

Interventions

PROCEDUREAwake tracheal intubation viaFiberoptic Bronchoscopy (ATI:FOB)

awake tracheal intubation will be perform via FOB

PROCEDUREAwake tracheal Intubation via videolaryngoscopy (ATI:VL)

Awake tracheal intubation will be perform via videolaryngoscopy

PROCEDUREawake tracheal intubation via aintree catheter loaded FOB through supraglottic airway device (ATI:SAD)

Awake tracheal Intubation will be perform via aintree catheter loaded FOB through supraglottic airway device

Sponsors

Kocaeli City Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Adult patients aged 18 and older * Patients classified as ASA I-II according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification * Patients scheduled for elective surgery * Patients expected to require difficult mask ventilation, difficult laryngoscopy, or difficult tracheal intubation; patients expected to have short apnea periods (Planjuan goiter); patients at risk of aspiration; patients expected to require difficult rescue techniques; and patients with a reported history of difficult intubation * Patients scheduled for intubation using the awake tracheal intubation (ATI) method * Individuals who have agreed to participate in the study by signing an informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with a mouth opening \<1.5 cm * Patients requiring emergency intubation or emergency surgery (situations where there is insufficient time to administer ATI) * Patients who cannot cooperate (mental incapacity, impaired consciousness, inability to communicate, etc.) * Patients with known allergies to lidocaine or other local/topical anesthetic agents used * Pregnancy * Patients with a history of severe cardiac arrhythmia or hemodynamic instability (due to increased risk during intubation) * Patients who have previously undergone tracheostomy or whose airway is technically obstructed due to anatomical deformity * Patients who refuse to participate in the study or who do not provide informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Success rate of chosen awake intubation methodThrough study completion, an average of 2 yearThe primary endpoint of the study is the success rate of the selected awake intubation technique, with the intubation method to be chosen via randomization.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

CONTACTMehmet Yılmaz, Assoc. Prof.
drmyilmaz33@gmail.com+905052174432
CONTACTAyşe Z Turan Cıvraz, Assoc.Prof.
ayse.zeynep@gmail.com05054695850
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMehmet Yılmaz, Assoc. Prof.

Kocaeli City Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 27, 2026