Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “LARYNGOSCOPY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

The McCoy straight blade does not improve laryngoscopy and intubation in normal infants.

PURPOSE: The McCoy curved blade laryngoscope has been demonstrated to improve view at laryngoscopy in adults. A straight-bladed version of this laryngoscope has recently been introduced into pediatric practice. The objective of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the intubating conditions afforded by the McCoy (#1) straight blade laryngoscope with the conventional Miller (#1) blade in neonates and infants. METHODS: Forty patients under six months of age, were randomized into two groups: one group (n = 20) had an initial laryngoscopy with the McCoy blade and then had a laryngoscopy and subsequent intubation using the Miller blade; the second group (n = 20) had an initial laryngoscopy with the Miller blade, followed by laryngoscopy and intubation using the McCoy blade. All intubations were performed by one anesthesiologist familiar with using both blades. RESULTS: The majority of patients (39 out of 40) had a similar or superior view (Cormack and Lehane classification) with the Miller when compared with the McCoy laryngoscope. Mean time to laryngoscopy was 14.9 (12.7) sec with the McCoy and 6.8 (2.07) sec with the Miller blade (P = 0.001), whereas mean time to intubation was 25.13 (10.4) sec with the McCoy and 12 (8.5) sec with the Miller blade (P = 0.014). There was no difference between the groups regarding desaturation and changes in heart rate during laryngoscopy and intubation. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the McCoy blade has no advantage over the conventional pediatric Miller blade in normal infants.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

[Video laryngoscopy for modified rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia: Sellick manoever with and without video laryngoscopic control].

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that cricoid pressure, one of the key elements of rapid sequence induction (RSI) in patients at risk of aspiration, can distort the glottic view obtained by direct laryngoscopy (DL) and consequently impair or delay endotracheal intubation (ETI). The fact that cricoid pressure is applied by an assistant "blindly", i.e. without any visual feedback, is believed to be a contributing factor. Video laryngoscopy (VIL) offers the advantage that both the anaesthetist and the assistant can follow laryngoscopy. This could be useful for ETI during RSI. METHODS: We used VIL for a simulated RSI in 170 adult patients randomised to either video laryngoscopy-guided application of cricoid pressure (group I) or conventional, i.e. "blind", application of cricoid pressure (group II). Time to ETI was compared between groups. The laryngoscopy view obtained by VIL was compared with the view of conventional DL obtained before, in all patients. RESULTS: Time to ETI did not differ between groups (p=0.2): 25.1+/-14.2 s (group I) vs. 23.7+/-12.1 s (group II). Laryngoscopy scores were significantly better for VIL than conventional DL (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Visualisation of the larynx during RSI can be improved using VIL. Time to ETI is not decreased by use of video laryngoscopy-guided application of cricoid pressure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Design rationale and intended use of a short optical stylet for routine fiberoptic augmentation of emergency laryngoscopy.

Patient safety in emergency airway management has traditionally relied upon prediction of difficult laryngoscopy and alternative intubation devices. Unfortunately, screening tests for difficult laryngoscopy have poor predictive value, and alternative devices are often not suitable for emergency airways. RSI performed with hit or miss repetitive laryngoscopy followed by delayed deployment of rarely used rescue devices is inherently hazardous. First pass success with laryngoscopy should be a benchmark of quality and patient safety in emergency airway management. By making a commitment to minimally modify practice and expand our skill set, fiberoptic augmentation of every laryngoscopy can promote patient safety through the avoidance of repetitive laryngoscopy and esophageal intubation. This article presents the design rationale and intended use of a new short optical stylet for the routine augmentation of emergency direct laryngoscopy.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1997

Local anesthetic administration for awake direct laryngoscopy. Are glossopharyngeal nerve blocks superior?

BACKGROUND: Glossopharyngeal nerve (GPN) blocks may provide reliable analgesia for awake direct laryngoscopy, although this has not been evaluated prospectively. This study was designed to determine if GPN blocks provide a superior route of local anesthetic administration for awake direct laryngoscopy as measured by hemodynamic, gag, and subjective pain responses. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded, crossover design was used. All participants (n = 11) were anesthesiologists. Three routes of local anesthetic administration were evaluated: 2 min of 2% viscous lidocaine swish and gargle (S&G); S&G combined with 10% lidocaine spray (S&G/spray); and S&G combined with 1% lidocaine bilateral GPN blocks (S&G/block; anterior tonsillar pillar method). Five minutes after the local anesthetic was administered, laryngoscopy was performed and sustained for 20 s. Noninvasive hemodynamic measurements and serum lidocaine concentrations were determined. Visual analogue scale scores and a poststudy questionnaire were used to assess participants' ability to tolerate local anesthetic administration and laryngoscopy and their choice for use in clinical practice. RESULTS: No significant hemodynamic changes were observed, although there was a modest increase (< 15%) in heart rate in the S&G/block group in the first minute after laryngoscopy. Serum lidocaine concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in the S&G/block group at 5 and 10 min (0.5 +/- 0.1 and 1.0 +/- 0.2 microgram/ml) compared with the S&G group. Participants' visual analogue scale scores, which assessed their ability to tolerate laryngoscopy, showed that S&G (5.4 +/- 0.9) resulted in more discomfort (P < 0.05) than either S&G/spray (3.5 +/- 0.9) or S&G/block (3.3 +/- 0.7). The laryngoscopist's visual analogue scale scores, which assessed the ease of visualization, revealed a trend (P < 0.08) toward less coughing and gagging with S&G/spray (1.8 +/- 0.9) compared with S&G (4.0 +/- 1.3) and S&G/block (3.7 +/- 1.1). Oropharyngeal discomfort lasting 24 h or more was reported by 91% of participants after S&G/block, whereas no participant reported oropharyngeal discomfort after S&G or S&G/spray. Significantly more participants (73%) indicated their preference for using S&G/spray in future clinical practice compared with S&G (P < 0.01) and S&G/block (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Glossopharyngeal nerve blocks do not provide a superior route of local anesthetic administration for awake direct laryngoscopy. Two minutes of 2% viscous lidocaine S&G followed by 10% lidocaine spray was the anesthetic route preferred by participants and laryngoscopists.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1995

A comparison of the stress response to laryngoscopy. The Macintosh versus the McCoy blade.

The cardiovascular changes and catecholamine concentrations were compared in 20 patients before and after laryngoscopy with either the Macintosh or the McCoy laryngoscope blades. Following induction with fentanyl and thiopentone and muscle relaxation with vecuronium the vocal cords were visualised for 10 s with either the Macintosh or McCoy blade, chosen at random. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure and plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations were measured before, and at, laryngoscopy, and 1, 3 and 5 min later. There was a significant increase in both heart rate (33%) and arterial blood pressure (27%) after laryngoscopy using the Macintosh blade (p < 0.01). Use of the McCoy blade did not result in any significant change in either heart rate or arterial blood pressure. There was a slight increase (p > 0.05) in plasma noradrenaline concentrations using the Macintosh blade which persisted for 5 min after laryngoscopy. This was not observed with the McCoy blade. There was no change in plasma adrenaline concentrations with either blade during the 5 min after laryngoscopy when compared to the values before laryngoscopy. It is concluded that the stress response to laryngoscopy is less marked with the use of the McCoy blade and is probably due to a reduction in the force necessary to obtain a clear view of the larynx.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Hemodynamic and catecholamine responses to laryngoscopy with vs. without endotracheal intubation.

To study the relationship between the intensity of the stimulus exerted against the base of the tongue during direct laryngoscopy and the magnitude of associated hemodynamic and catecholamine responses, a study was conducted in 40 ASA I or II patients. Laryngoscopy lasting 40 s was performed with a size 3 Macintosh blade connected to a force-displacement transducer. The intensity of the stimulus exerted during laryngoscopy is expressed by the product of its average force (N) and duration (s) and given as impulse in Ns. Highly significant relationships were found between the impulse during laryngoscopy and the maximal hemodynamic and catecholamine responses. Also, when laryngoscopy was followed by orotracheal intubation, significant relationships were found with steeper slopes of the regression lines for systolic blood pressure, heart rate and plasma epinephrine concentrations. A more rapid regression of hemodynamic data was seen in intubated patients, whereas their plasma catecholamine concentrations regressed more slowly. The mechanisms of the responses to laryngoscopy and orotracheal intubation are proposed to be by somato-visceral reflexes. Stimulation of proprioceptors at the base of the tongue during laryngoscopy induces impulse-dependent increases of systemic blood pressure, heart rate and plasma catecholamine concentrations. Subsequent orotracheal intubation recruits additional receptors that elicit augmented hemodynamic and epinephrine responses as well as some vagal inhibition of the heart.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Suspension laryngoscopy revisited.

Every critical advancement in direct laryngoscopic surgical technique has enhanced its precision. Among the most notable was Killian's seminal description of suspension laryngoscopy 90 years ago, which allowed for bimanual direct laryngoscopic surgery. Because of the technical difficulties encountered while performing suspension laryngoscopy, Brünings and Seiffert designed fulcrum laryngoscope holder-stabilizers for spatula laryngoscopes from Killian's original instrument design. Their devices, which were easier to use and better tolerated by patients, were supported from the laryngeal cartilage framework or chest wall. Laryngoscope holder-stabilizers were retrofitted to tubular laryngoscope specula in the 1940s and 1950s, whereupon they became very popular. Suspension laryngoscopy should have become more common subsequent to the introduction of general endotracheal anesthesia with paralysis in the 1960s. However, laryngoscope holder-stabilizers were entrenched as the device preferred by most, and they remain so today. This entrenchment occurred despite the fact that suspension laryngoscopy allows for positioning a larger examining speculum, which in turn allows for enhanced exposure and endolaryngeal procedural precision. The applied vector forces on the mandible, maxilla, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx associated with suspension laryngoscopy are preferable to those associated with holder-stabilizers. A prospective assessment of 120 cases revealed effective use of suspension laryngoscopy in all. We believe that only a minority of surgeons has actually seen true suspension laryngoscopy and that its merits are worthy of reexamination.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMed2002

The modified Cormack-Lehane score for the grading of direct laryngoscopy: evaluation in the Asian population.

The use of a modified Cormack-Lehane scoring system (MCLS) of laryngoscopic views, as previously introduced in the Western population, was investigated during direct laryngoscopy in the Asian population. We studied the distribution of the different grades of MCLS, the predictive factors and rate of difficult laryngoscopy, and the association with difficult intubation. Six hundred and five patients requiring tracheal intubation during general anaesthesia were prospectively studied. The optimal views during direct laryngoscopy were scored using the 5-grade MCLS system. The distribution of the laryngoscopy scores was 73.9% Grade 1 (full view of the vocal cords), 21.0% Grade 2A (partial view of the vocal cords), 3.3% Grade 2B (only the arytenoids and epiglottis seen), 1.6% Grade 3 (only epiglottis visible) and 0.2% Grade 4 (neither the epiglottis nor glottis seen). External laryngeal pressure was necessary in 45.3% of cases to optimize laryngoscopic views. Grade 2B was associated with significantly higher incidence of difficult intubation compared with Grade 2A (65% vs 13.4%). The rates of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation were 5.1% and 6.9% respectively. The Mallampati classification and thyromental distance were associated with low predictive value for difficult laryngoscopy. The MCLS better delineates the difficulty experienced during laryngoscopy than the original Cormack-Lehane grading

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Determination of the changes in the hypoglossal nerve function after suspension laryngoscopy with needle electromyography of the tongue.

The purpose of this study was to determine changes in the hypoglossal nerve function after suspension laryngoscopy with needle electromyography of the tongue. This study also attempted to determine the possible relationship between the predictive factors of intubation difficulty by using the intubation difficulty scale, which was introduced by Adnet et al., duration of suspension laryngoscopy and changes in hypoglossal nerve function after suspension laryngoscopy. The study was performed on 39 patients who underwent suspension laryngoscopy for benign glottic pathology. Pre-operative airway assessment was evaluated by the intubation difficulty scale and the duration of suspension laryngoscopy was recorded. Needle electromyography of the tongue was performed three or four weeks after the suspension laryngoscopy. After needle electromyography of the tongue, increased polyphasia was found in 13 patients (33 per cent), bilaterally in three of them. The interference pattern was reduced in two of these 13 patients. There was no statistically significant difference in predictive factors of intubation difficulty and the duration of the operation between these 13 patients with increased polyphasia and the remaining 26 patients with completely normal electromyography findings. These findings show that, in spite of normal clinical tongue function, subclinical changes can be detected by needle electromyography of the tongue after suspension laryngoscopy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Videotape feedback in teaching laryngoscopy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate if videotape feedback provides educational insights for students learning laryngoscopy that they would not otherwise perceive. METHODS: Twenty-six medical students were videotaped while performing laryngoscopy for oral intubation. Before and after reviewing their performance on the videotape, they answered a standardized questionnaire assessing the adequacy of positioning, head movement during laryngoscopy, degrees of neck flexion and head extension, time elapsed, and whether the laryngoscope contacted the upper lip or teeth. After the review, they were asked if being videotaped was distracting, whether it provided new instructional insights and, if so, which was most important. RESULTS: Only 4% of students felt that initial head and neck positioning was suboptimal and this increased to 38% after videotape review (P = 0.029). The perceived inadequacy of positioning seemed related to initial overestimation of head extension (34.0 +/- 15 degrees) compared with that seen on videotape (21.5 +/- 13.5 degrees, P = 0.003). The estimated duration of laryngoscopy was underestimated (55 +/- 32 sec vs. 75 +/- 29 sec, P = .024) before videotape review. Although 26.9% (7/26) of students admitted feeling distracted by the video camera, all felt the experience had educational value. CONCLUSION: Videotape feedback changed students' perception of how they performed laryngoscopy. In particular, head extension was overestimated and duration of laryngoscopy underestimated.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Airway management after failure to intubate by direct laryngoscopy: outcomes in a large teaching hospital.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this single-centre database review was to establish the incidence of failure to intubate by direct laryngoscopy, to measure morbidity and mortality associated with this event, and to examine the use and efficacy of alternative airway devices. METHODS: Difficult intubation via direct laryngoscopy at Mayo Clinic Rochester is recorded in an electronic database using a functional classification: 0 = no difficulty; 1 = mild to moderate difficulty; and 2 = severe difficulty often requiring a change in intubation technique. Using this database, the total number of intubations was determined for a selected review period and the incidence of failure to intubate by direct laryngoscopy was established. Abstraction of chart data allowed for determination of associated morbidity and mortality, success of alternative airway devices, and case cancellation rate. RESULTS: During the period from August 1, 2001 through December 31, 2002, 37,482 patients underwent general anesthesia with attempted direct laryngoscopy. One hundred sixty-one patients (0.43%) could not be intubated by direct laryngoscopy alone. Morbidity associated with difficult intubation included soft tissue/dental damage (n = 8), intraoperative cardiac arrest (n = 1), and possible aspiration (n = 1). Three patients required intensive care unit admission. There was no associated mortality. The most commonly used alternative airway device was the flexible fibreoptic scope. Five case cancellations resulted from failure to intubate with alternative devices. CONCLUSION: The rate of unexpected failure to intubate by direct laryngoscopy is essentially unchanged from earlier studies. While morbidity was low, continued education and early use of alternative difficult airway devices may further limit complications associated with this event.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed2001

Prediction of prolonged laryngoscopy.

Duration of laryngoscopy must be kept as short as possible to prevent disturbances of oxygenation and ventilation. Because the factors associated with prolonged laryngoscopy are not well known, we studied 1000 patients undergoing tracheal intubation under general anaesthesia to determine the possible effects of their characteristics on the incidence of prolonged laryngoscopy (defined as lasting longer than 15 s). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the odds ratio for significant factors. Prolonged laryngoscopy occurred in 158 patients (15.8%). Six characteristics were determined as risk factors for a prolonged laryngoscopy: weight > 80 kg [OR 3.7 (95% CI 1.9-7.1)]; tongue protrusion < 3.2 cm [OR 2.0 (1.0-4.2)]; mouth opening < 5 cm [OR 4.3 (2.1-8.9)]; upper incisor length > 1.5 cm [OR 4.2 (2.0-8.6)]; Mallampati class > 1 [OR 10.0 (7.1-14.6)]; and head extension < 70 degrees [OR 7.1 (3.8-13.6)]. The presence of three of these factors predicted prolonged laryngoscopy with a sensitivity of 0.72 and a specificity of 0.91

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Prediction of difficult laryngoscopy in obese patients by ultrasound quantification of anterior neck soft tissue.

In 50 morbidly obese patients, we quantified the soft tissue of the neck from the skin to the anterior aspect of the trachea at the vocal cords using ultrasound. Thyromental distance, mouth opening, limited neck mobility, modified Mallampati score, abnormal upper teeth, neck circumference and sleep apnoea were assessed as predictors of difficult laryngoscopy. Of the nine (18%) cases of difficult laryngoscopy, seven (78%) had a history of obstructive sleep apnoea, compared with two of the 41 patients (5%) in whom laryngoscopy was easy (p < 0.001). Patients in whom laryngoscopy was difficult had more pretracheal soft tissue (mean (SD) 28 (2.7) mm vs. 17.5 (1.8) mm; p < 0.001) and a greater neck circumference (50 (3.8) vs. 43.5 (2.2) cm; p < 0.001). None of the other predictors correlated with difficult laryngoscopy. We conclude that an abundance of pretracheal soft tissue at the level of the vocal cords is a good predictor of difficult laryngoscopy in obese patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to laryngoscopy with and without tracheal intubation.

The catecholamine and cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy alone have been compared with those following laryngoscopy and intubation in 24 patients allocated randomly to each group. Following induction with fentanyl and thiopentone, atracurium was administered and artificial ventilation undertaken via a face mask for 2 min with 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Following laryngoscopy, the vocal cords were visualized for 10 s. In one group of patients, ventilation was then re-instituted via a face mask, while in the second group the trachea was intubated during the 10-s period and ventilation of the lungs maintained. Arterial pressure, heart rate and plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations were measured before and after induction and at 1, 3 and 5 min after laryngoscopy. There were significant and similar increases in arterial pressure and circulating catecholamine concentrations following laryngoscopy with or without intubation. Intubation, however, was associated with significant increases in heart rate which did not occur in the laryngoscopy-only group.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Predicting difficult intubation with indirect laryngoscopy.

BACKGROUND: It is not always possible to predict when tracheal intubation will be difficult or impossible. The authors wanted to determine whether indirect laryngoscopy could identify patients in whom intubation was difficult. METHODS: Indirect laryngoscopy was done in 2,504 patients. The Wilson risk sum score and the modified Mallampati score were also studied in a different series of 3,680 patients for comparison. These predictive methods were compared according to three parameters: positive predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: Of 6,184 patients studied, the trachea proved difficult to intubate in 82 (1.3%). Positive predictive value (31%) and specificity (98.4%) with indirect laryngoscopy were greater than the other two predictive methods (P < 0.01), whereas sensitivity with indirect laryngoscopy (69.2%) was greater than that of the Wilson risk sum score (55.4%) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although in 15% of patients indirect laryngoscopy could not be performed because of excessive gag reflex, indirect laryngoscopy can serve as an effective method to predict difficult intubation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The clinical observation of difficult laryngoscopy and difficult intubation in infants with cleft lip and palate.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of difficult laryngoscopy in infants with cleft lip and palate and to observe its relationships with age, sites, and degrees of deformities. METHODS: A total of 985 infants aged 1 month to 3 years, undergoing repair of cleft lip and palate were included in this study. The infants suffering from unilateral cleft lip, simple cleft palate, and combined bilateral cleft lip and palate were 465, 421, and 79 respectively. They were divided into three groups according to age; 1-6 months group, 6-12 months group and 1-3 years group. RESULTS: The total incidence of difficult laryngoscopy was 4.77%. The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy was closely related to age, sites and degrees of deformities, and micrognathia. The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy was 7.06% in 1-6 months group, 2.90% in 6-12 months group, and 3.13% in 1-3 years group, and was greatest for infants with combined bilateral cleft lip and palate, less for those with left cleft lip and least for those with right cleft lip and simple cleft palate. The incidences of difficult laryngoscopy in infants with and without micrognathia were 50% and 3.83% respectively. The incidences of moderately difficult, difficult, and failed intubations were 1.02%, 0.91%, and 0.102% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with cleft lip and palate, left cleft lip and alveolus, combined bilateral cleft lip and palate, micrognathia, and age <6 months were the important risk factors for difficult laryngoscopy. Difficult intubation occurred mainly in infants with laryngoscopic views of grade III and IV.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1994

Increased cerebral and decreased femoral artery blood flow velocities during direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

Direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation may be associated with increased heart rate, arterial blood pressure, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance. These responses have been attributed to sympathoadrenal stimulation. However, the studies measuring distribution of blood flow to various organs are limited. We prospectively evaluated blood flow velocities in the common carotid, middle cerebral, and femoral arteries before induction of anesthesia, after induction but before direct laryngoscopy, at the conclusion of direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, and 3 min after tracheal intubation in 13 adult patients. Direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation produced increases in the heart rate (from 76 +/- 13 to 91 +/- 10 bpm; chi +/- SD), systolic blood pressure (from 168 +/- 20 to 206 +/- 21 mmHg), common carotid and middle cerebral blood flow velocities, but produced decreases in femoral artery blood flow velocities. Common carotid artery blood flow velocity increased from 49.4 +/- 12.5 cm/s to 65.2 +/- 20.7 cm/s (P < 0.05) at the conclusion of tracheal intubation. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity, which could be measured only in seven patients due to technical difficulties secondary to movement during laryngoscopy, increased from 62.4 +/- 20.5 cm/s to 78.0 +/- 27.7 cm/s (P < 0.05). In contrast, femoral artery blood flow velocity decreased from 107.6 +/- 37.8 cm/s to 76.8 +/- 28.6 cm/s (P < 0.05). These responses suggest that the hypertensive response due to direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation is associated with redistribution of blood flow in the body.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Tracheal intubation under general anesthesia in patients with difficult laryngoscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral endotracheal intubation in the patients with difficult laryngoscopy undergoing general anesthesia. METHODS: A total of 1 683 patients with difficult laryngoscopy, aged 1.5-67 yr, and scheduled for the elective plastic surgery were observed in this study from 1989-1997. All these patients were at American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status I. According to the preoperative predictive results for difficult laryngoscopy, we classified these patients into two groups: Group I included 1 375 patients, whose epiglottis could be viewed (laryngoscopic view grades II and III); and Group II, included 308 patients, whose epiglottis could not be viewed (laryngoscopic view grade IV). For group I, anesthesia was induced with thiopentone 4-5 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg; Laryngoscopy was carried out using modified Macintosh method. For Group II, anesthesia was induced with a total intravenous anesthesia or inhaled anesthesia; anesthetic depth was required to effectively inhibit laryngeal reflexes with reservation of spontaneous breathing. Tracheal intubation was performed by fiberoptic stylet laryngoscope (FOSL). During anesthesia induction and tracheal intubation procedures, electrocardiogram, arterial pressure, heart rate and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were continuously monitored. Complications of intubation (arrhythmia, and so on) were observed and recorded. Immediately after laryngoscopy and successful intubation, patients were examined for any traumatic injuries at teeth, lips, tongue, and oropharyngeal tissues. RESULTS: In group I, tracheal intubation was accomplished by the first attempt in 1 279 cases (93.0%) and the intubation time was less than 3 min in 1 304 cases (94.8%). In group II, tracheal intubation was accomplished by the first attempt in 114 patients (37.0%), and 123 patients (39.9%) had the intubation time of less than 3 min. Tracheal intubation was successful by the second or third attempt in 96 patients of group I and 156 patients of group II, respectively. Thirty-eight patients required four or more attempts, which only occurred in group II. Of all the complications of tracheal intubation, the traumatic complications were most common. The incidences of traumatic complications in the patients with laryngoscopic view grade II, III (group I ) and IV (group II) were 0.7%, 3.9% and 14.3%, respectively. Other complications such as respiratory depression were only seen in group II. A pooled incidence of the intubation complications was 6.7% (113/1 683). CONCLUSION: An anesthesiologist who is skillful in difficult airway management may safely manage the airway in the patients with difficult laryngoscopy under general anesthesia.

Adolescent↗