The clinical application of light wand-guided endotracheal intubation in the difficult airway

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of light wand-guided endotracheal intubation in the difficult airway. Methods Light wand intubation was performed in 26 patients with difficult airway who failed in laryngoscopic intubation under sedation and gradual induction of anesthesia (12 patients) or induction of general anesthesia (14 patients). The number of attempts, time to successful intubation, changes in SpO2 and BP during the intubation phrase, and adverse events were recorded. Results The number of attempts was 4.50 ± 1.38 in laryngoscopic intubation and 1.85 ± 0.6 in light wand intubation (P 0.01) while the time to successful intubation was (886.20 ± 33.00)s and (26.15 ± 16.92)s, respectively (P 0.01). Mask ventilation of 1 to 2 min was needed during laryngoscope intubation but no such ventilation was required in light wand intubation. BP was elevated in laryngoscopic intubation as compared with that in light wand intubation(P 0.05). Conclusion Light wand intubation is an economical, simple, feasible, and effective procedure for adult with difficult airway and can be further popularized.