Application of different intubation techniques for difficult airway in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery

Objective To compare the outcomes of intubation by different intubation techniques in the patients with difficult airway.Methods A total of 319patients with difficult airway undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery was intubated with traditional blind intubation technique(group A,54 cases),retrograde intubation technique(group B,52cases),lightwand-guided tracheal intubation technique(group C,60cases),video endotracheal intubation technique(group D,72cases),or fiberoptic laryngoscope intubation technique(group E,81cases).The the outcomes of intubation were evaluated and compared.Results The successful rates of intubation were higher in groups of D and E than those in groups of A,B and C(100% and 100% vs.55.5%,76.9% and 80.0%)(P0.05).Compared to groups of B,C,D and E,the successful rate of intubation was lower,the time of intubation was longer and the intubation-related complications were more in group A(P0.05).Conclusion To reduce the intubation-related complications,selection of intubation techniques shoud be made on the basis of sufficient analysis of individual condition in difficult airway.