Comparison between 2 portable video laryngoscopes and Macintosh laryngoscope in airway intubation under general anesthesia

Objective To compare the differences in glottis exposure,success rate of intubation and resulting complications, in airway intubation with 2 portable video laryngoscopes and the Macintosh laryngoscope under general anesthesia. Methods Ninety ASA grade Ⅰand Ⅱpatients receiving selective airway intubation under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Following general anesthesia and with classical airway intubation methods,first the Macintosh laryngoscope was used to expose and view the glottis,then intubation procedures were completed under the video laryngoscopes. Grades of glottis exposure view,number of attempts of intubation,ease of intubation and resulting complications were monitored and recorded. Results Compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope,both the Yi-an and the McGrath video laryngoscopes provided significantly much better view in glottis exposure( 27 /45: 29 /45,P 0. 05). There were no statistically significant differences in the improvement of view,the ease and success rate of intubation,when comparisons were made between the two video laryngoscopes( P 0. 05). Conclusion Both video laryngoscopes could provide a superior view of glottis,facilitating easier intubation,when compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope,however,complications induced by airway intubation could not be avoided.