Tooth injury in anaesthesiology

A comparison of direct laryngoscopy to video laryngoscopy by paramedic students in manikin-simulated airway management scenarios

INTRODUCTION

We compare the effectiveness of direct laryngoscopy (DL) to video laryngoscopy (VL) in simulated, difficult airway scenarios in a cohort of novice, prehospital, emergency care providers.

METHODS

Forty-five (45) students were randomised to DL or VL groups and then tasked to perform intubation on a manikin in three simulated airway scenarios. The scenarios included an uncomplicated intubation, intubation with manual in-line neck stabilisation (MILNS), and a simulated motor vehicle entrapment, with C-Spine held from behind, using a face-to-face intubation technique. The primary outcome was time taken to intubate, with secondary outcomes including first pass success rate, number of intubation attempts, Cormack-Lehane (CL) view grade obtained, adverse event rate, and self-reported laryngoscopist comfort.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven participants (VL n = 15, DL n = 12) completed the study. Mean time to intubate was not statistically different between VL and DL groups in any scenario. VL was associated with an increased frequency of intubation attempts (p = 0.043) and failed intubations (RR 6.4, 95% CI 0.92-44.33, p = 0.0175) in the face-to-face intubation scenario, VL was associated with a reduced incidence of poor CL view (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.004-0.997, p = 0.0497) in the face-to-face intubation scenario, and a reduction in the frequency of dental damage (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02-0.96, p = 0.0165) in the supine MILNS scenario.

DISCUSSION

In our small sample, we found DL to be superior to VL in relation to a reduced risk of failed intubation and frequency of intubation attempts despite VL being superior in obtaining a good view of the vocal cords in a face-to-face intubation scenario. We found no statistically significant difference in the time taken to intubate in any scenarios. A larger study is required to inform practice and education around prehospital use of VL.

Orotracheal Intubation Using the Retromolar Space: A Reliable Alternative Intubation Approach to Prevent Dental Injury

Despite recent advances in airway management, perianesthetic dental injury remains one of the most common anesthesia-related adverse events and cause for malpractice litigation against anesthesia providers. Recommended precautions for prevention of dental damage may not always be effective because these techniques involve contact and pressure exerted on vulnerable teeth. We describe a novel approach using the retromolar space to insert a flexible fiberscope for tracheal tube placement as a reliable method to achieve atraumatic tracheal intubation. Written consent for publication has been obtained from the patient.