Tzu Chi Medical Journal
Volume 21, Issue 2 , Pages 147-150, June 2009

Comparisons of the GlideScope and Macintosh Laryngoscope in Tracheal Intubation by Medical Students on Fresh Human Cadavers

  • Pei-Chin Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anesthesiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Jimmy Ong

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anesthesiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Chia-Ling Lee

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anesthesiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Tsung-Ying Chen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anesthesiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Yi Lee

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anesthesiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Hsien-Yong Lai

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anesthesiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • Institute of Physiological and Anatomical Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Anesthesiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, 707, Section 3, Chung-Yang Road, Hualien, Taiwan

Received 30 September 2008; received in revised form 19 November 2008; accepted 30 December 2008.

Article Outline

Abstract 

Objective

The GlideScope Video Laryngoscope (GS) is an intubating device that provides equal or better glottic views than conventional laryngoscopes, but correct tube placement is more time-consuming, even when performed by experienced operators. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of the GS compared with the more conventional Macintosh laryngoscope in easy and difficult tracheal intubation when performed by inexperienced medical students on fresh human cadavers

Patients and Methods

Forty-one medical students were assigned to perform tracheal intubation using the direct Macintosh laryngoscope (DL) and the GS. Each student was given four attempts, with a maximum of 180 seconds for each attempt, to successfully intubate the trachea with a 6.5-mm tracheal tube in each of two scenarios, one with an easy airway and the other with a difficult airway cadaver.

Results

The total time of intubation for the easy airway cadaver was significantly longer in the GS group (61.4 ± 4.8 seconds vs. 40.6 ± 5.3 seconds; p < 0.001) despite the modified Cormack-Lehane scores showing no difference between the two groups. In the difficult airway cadaver, total time of intubation was significant shorter in the GS group (64.3 ± 6.5 seconds vs. 98.7 ± 10.2 seconds; p < 0.001)

Conclusion

Most inexperienced operators found the GS to be more time-consuming for tracheal intubation than DL in the easy airway cadaver. However, an obvious advantage was demonstrated when the GS was used for the difficult airway.

Keywords:  Cadavers , GlideScope , Laryngoscopy , Tracheal intubation

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References 

  1. GlideScope® Video Laryngoscope. Verathon Medical B.V., Boerhaaveweg, 13401 MN Ijsselstein, The Netherlands. Available from http://www.verathon.com.eu
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PII: S1016-3190(09)60027-6

doi:10.1016/S1016-3190(09)60027-6

Tzu Chi Medical Journal
Volume 21, Issue 2 , Pages 147-150, June 2009

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