A comparison of two tracheal intubation techniques with Trachlight and Fastrach in patients with cervical spine disorders

Effectiveness of intubation devices in patients with cervical spine immobilisation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cervical spine immobilisation increases the difficulty of tracheal intubation. Many intubation devices have been evaluated in this setting, but their relative performance remains uncertain.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify randomised trials comparing two or more intubation devices in adults with cervical spine immobilisation. After critical appraisal, a random-effects network meta-analysis was used to pool and compare device performance. The primary outcome was the probability of first-attempt intubation success (first-pass success). For relative performance, the Macintosh direct laryngoscopy blade was chosen as the reference device.

RESULTS

We included 80 trials (8039 subjects) comparing 26 devices. Compared with the Macintosh, McGrath™ (odds ratio [OR]=11.5; 95% credible interval [CrI] 3.19-46.20), C-MAC D Blade™ (OR=7.44; 95% CrI, 1.06-52.50), Airtraq™ (OR=5.43; 95% CrI, 2.15-14.2), King Vision™ (OR=4.54; 95% CrI, 1.28-16.30), and C-MAC™ (OR=4.20; 95% CrI=1.28-15.10) had a greater probability of first-pass success. This was also true for the GlideScope™ when a tube guide was used (OR=3.54; 95% CrI, 1.05-12.50). Only the Airway Scope™ had a better probability of first-pass success compared with the Macintosh when manual-in-line stabilisation (MILS) was used as the immobilisation technique (OR=7.98; 95% CrI, 1.06-73.00).

CONCLUSIONS

For intubation performed with cervical immobilisation, seven devices had a better probability of first-pass success compared with the Macintosh. However, more studies using MILS (rather than a cervical collar or other alternative) are needed, which more accurately represent clinical practice.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019158067 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=158067).

Evaluation of transmitted glow point at a priori chosen depth (1 cm below vocal cords) for lightwand intubation: a prospective observational study

Objective

When performing lightwand intubation, an improper transmitted glow position before tube advancement can cause intubation failure or laryngeal injury. This study was performed to explore the transmitted glow point corresponding to a priori chosen depth for lightwand intubation.

Methods

Before lightwand intubation, we marked the transmitted glow point from a bronchoscope on the neck when it reached 1 cm below the vocal cords. Lightwand intubation was then performed using this marking point. The distances from the mark to the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, upper border of the cricoid cartilage, and suprasternal notch were measured.

Results

In total, 107 patients were enrolled. The success rate of lightwand intubation using the mark was 93.5% (95% confidence interval, 88.7%–99.2%) at the first attempt. The marking point was placed 12.0 mm (95% confidence interval, 10.6–13.4 mm) below the upper border of the cricoid cartilage.

Conclusion

Anaesthesiologists should be aware of the appropriate point of the transmitted glow on the patient’s neck when performing lightwand intubation. We suggest that this point is approximately 1 cm below the upper border of the cricoid cartilage.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03480035

Tracheal intubation in patients at risk for cervical spinal cord injury: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Tracheal intubation in patients at risk for secondary spinal cord injury is potentially difficult and risky.

OBJECTIVES

To compare tracheal intubation techniques in adult patients at risk for secondary cervical spinal cord injury undergoing surgery. Primary outcome was first-attempt failure rate. Secondary outcomes were time to successful intubation and procedure complications.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with trial sequential analysis (TSA).

DATA SOURCES

Databases searched up to July 2019.

ELIGIBILITY

Randomized controlled trials comparing different intubation techniques.

RESULTS

We included 18 trials enrolling 1972 patients. Four studies used the "awake" approach, but no study compared awake versus non-awake techniques. In remaining 14 RCTs, intubation was performed under general anesthesia. First-attempt failure rate was similar when comparing direct laryngoscopy or fiberoptic bronchoscopy versus other techniques. A better first-attempt failure rate was found with videolaryngoscopy and when pooling all the fiberoptic techniques together. All these results appeared not significant at TSA, suggesting inconclusive evidence. Intubating lighted stylet allowed faster intubation. Postoperative neurological complications were 0.34% (no significant difference among techniques). No life-threatening adverse event was reported; mild local complications were common (19.5%). The certainty of evidence was low to very low mainly due to high imprecision and indirectness.

CONCLUSIONS

Videolaryngoscopy and fiberoptic-assisted techniques might be associated with higher first-attempt failure rate over controls. However, low to very low certainty of evidence does not allow firm conclusions on the best tracheal intubation in patients at risk for cervical spinal cord injury.

Laryngoscopes for difficult airway scenarios: a comparison of the available devices

INTRODUCTION

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the incidence of difficult intubation in the operating room is 1.2-3.8%; however, in emergency conditions, this rate is higher and reaches even 5.3%. Successful emergency airway management is an essential component of the modern practice of medicine.

AREAS COVERED

The aim of the study is to review the literature regarding different devices used to perform endotracheal intubation (Macintosh, Miller, and McCoy laryngoscopes; ETView, GlideScope, TruView, Airtraq, McGrath MAC, Pentax AWS, Trachlight, Shikani, and Bullard) and discuss their clinical and experimental role in difficult airway management.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

Owing to the development of medical technology, there are an increasing number of videolaryngoscopes and other devices facilitating endotracheal intubation in difficult airway scenarios, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cervical spine injury, or face-to-face intubation. Each of these devices may bring benefits in the form of increasing the intubation effectiveness, as well as shortening the procedure, provided that the person performing intubation is familiar with the use of the device.

Face-to-face intubation using a lightwand in a patient with severe thoracolumbar kyphosis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Severe deformity of the thoracolumbar spine may cause difficulty in airway management during induction of anesthesia. Therefore, special attention must be devoted to patient safety.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 65-year-old male with severe thoracolumbar kyphosis was scheduled to undergo posterior spinal fusion under general anesthesia. Due to his inability to lie supine, conventional tracheal intubation under direct laryngoscopy was difficult. Alternatively, face-to-face tracheal intubation using a lightwand in the semi-recumbent position was performed. Intubation was successful on the first attempt without any complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The face-to-face intubation technique using a lightwand is one of several alternative techniques for tracheal intubation in patients who cannot lie supine.

Endotracheal intubation in elective cervical surgery: A randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded study

BACKGROUND

We compared the effectiveness and safety of endotracheal intubation using the GlideScope (GS) video laryngoscope, CTrach laryngeal mask airway (LMA), or Shikani optical stylet rigid laryngoscope (SOS) during elective cervical surgery.

METHODS

Forty-five patients undergoing elective cervical surgery were randomly and equally assigned to endotracheal intubation via GS, LMA, or SOS airway management.

RESULTS

Endotracheal intubation was successfully completed in all patients. The mean intubation times of the groups differed significantly (P < .01): GS, 17.9 ± 3.1 s; SOS, 40.4 ± 13.7 s; and LMA, 80.5 ± 22.5 s. The groups had similar heart rates and mean arterial pressures throughout the intubation, except that at 2 minutes after intubation the mean arterial pressure of the GS group (106.1 ± 18.5 mm Hg) was significantly higher than that of the LMA (89.7 ± 18.5 mm Hg) or SOS (89.7 ± 18.5 mm Hg; P < .01). The change in C2-5 Cobb angle from baseline was significantly higher in the GS group (GS, 34.2° ± 7.3°) than the LMA (24.4° ± 5.8°) or SOS (25.5° ± 6.4°); P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The CTrach LMA and SOS rigid laryngoscope are effective, safe alternatives to the GS video laryngoscope for patients undergoing elective cervical surgery.

A Comparison Between the Conventional and the Laryngoscope-Assisted Lightwand Intubation Techniques in Patients With Cervical Immobilization: A Prospective Randomized Study

BACKGROUND

Positioning of a lightwand in the midline of the oral cavity can be challenging in patients with cervical immobilization. Direct laryngoscopy may permit the lightwand tip to more easily access the glottic opening. We tested our hypothesis that a laryngoscope-assisted lightwand technique allows more successful endotracheal intubation than does a conventional lightwand approach.

METHODS

A total of 162 patients requiring cervical immobilization during intubation for cervical spine surgery were allocated randomly to 2 groups. The conventional lightwand technique (group C, n = 80) or the laryngoscope-assisted lightwand technique (group L, n = 82) was used for endotracheal intubation. In the group L, a Macintosh laryngoscope was inserted into the oral cavity, advanced until the epiglottis tip was visible, but not used to lift the epiglottis tip. The lightwand tip was placed below the epiglottis under direct view of the epiglottis tip. The primary outcome (the initial intubation success rate) and secondary outcomes (intubation time, hemodynamic changes, and postoperative airway complications) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The initial intubation success rate was significantly lower (75% vs 89%; relative risk [95% confidence interval]: 1.2 [1.0-1.4]; P = .034) in group C than group L. The intubation time (22 ± 13 vs 24 ± 12 seconds; mean difference [98.33% confidence interval]: 2.4 [-2.3 to 7.2]; P = .217) did not differ between groups. Postoperative sore throat score, incidences of hypertension and tachycardia, postoperative oral mucosal bleeding, and hoarseness also did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Laryngoscope-assisted lightwand intubation did not increase intubation time, and it increased first attempt intubation rates compared with traditional lightwand intubation in patients requiring cervical immobilization for cervical spine surgery.

Appropriate head position for nasotracheal intubation by using lightwand device (Trachlight)

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the head position and the subsequent ease of nasotracheal intubation by using the lightwand device Trachlight (TL). Patients requiring nasotracheal intubation were subdivided into 3 groups according to the intubated head position (group S: sniffing position; group E: extension position; and group N: neutral position). The number of attempts, the total intubation time, and the failures of the TL intubation were recorded. Intubation difficulty by means of TL was assessed by the ordinal 6-point scale. Of the 300 patients enrolled in the study, TL intubation was successful in 91.3% of them. There was no significant difference in the success rate of the first attempt between the groups. No correlation between the ordinal scale and the head position was observed. The total intubation time and the ratio of "unsuccessful" cases were not significantly different among the 3 groups. TL is an effective alternative for patients who require nasotracheal intubation. Our study did not determine the most favorable head position for nasotracheal intubation with the TL, so we recommend that nasotracheal intubation with TL be started with the head in the neutral position and then changed to a more appropriate position, if necessary, on an individual basis.

Infant with unanticipated difficult airway - Trachlight™ to the rescue

Lighted stylets may be used for assisting in oral intubation in both adult as well as pediatric age groups. We report the anesthetic management of an 11- month-old infant with fractured mandible where the airway was secured with tracheal lightwand-guided nasal intubation after the failure of repeated attempts of conventional laryngoscopy.

Transillumination-assisted orotracheal intubation: a comparison of the Bonfils fibrescope and the lightwand (Trachlight)

BACKGROUND

Because the Bonfils fibrescope has a semi-rigid optical stylet and is similar in shape to a lightwand, we aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of transillumination-assisted orotracheal intubation with the Bonfils fibrescope and the Trachlight(TM) lightwand in patients with normal airways.

METHODS

As a preliminary investigation to form a basis for later studies, therefore, we performed a randomized, single-blind study of 300 patients with normal airways to compare the efficiency of Trachlight and transillumination-assisted Bonfils orotracheal intubation in these patients. In both groups, orotracheal intubation was performed using a transillumination technique. The first attempt and overall success rates of tracheal intubation, the times required, and any untoward effects were recorded.

RESULTS

Although the overall success rates were similar for Bonfils and Trachlight intubations (97.3% and 98.7%, respectively), tracheal intubation was successful on the first attempt in 87.3% of patients with the Bonfils fibrescope compared with 95.3% of patients with the Trachlight (P < 0.05). The mean intubation time for the first attempt was 15 ± 5 s with the Bonfils fibrescope and 9 ± 2 s with the Trachlight (P < 0.001). Patients intubated using the Bonfils fibrescope also experienced significantly more sore throat and hoarseness than those intubated using the Trachlight.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with normal airways, the Trachlight is superior for orotracheal intubation with respect to reliability, rapidity, and safety compared with the Bonfils fibrescope used with the transillumination technique.

Difficult airway management and the novice physician

Background:

Selection of the ideal airway device in patients with difficult airways (DA) or potentially difficult airways remains controversial, especially, for a novice anesthesia physician (NP) who must deviate from conventional direct laryngoscopy with a rigid laryngoscope following a failed intubation and employ one of the several alternative devices. The author determines and compares tracheal intubation success rates, times to success and complications of a novice physician using four alternative airway devices in 20 obese (BMI more than 27.5) patients who may be more difficult to intubate than normal weight patients.

Materials and Methods:

In this prospective randomized experimental study the author investigates a novice physician's use of the Bullard™, Fiberoptic™, Fastrach™ and Trachlight™ comparing reliability, rapidity and safety of orotracheal intubations. Following induction of anesthesia the NP was allowed up to a maximum of two attempts per device at oral intubation. Mean intubation times plus/minus SD, per cent success rates and postoperative complications were evaluated for each device.

Results:

The Fastrach™ was successful 100% of the time on the first attempt requiring a mean time of 55 seconds plus/minus 6.6. All intubations were unsuccessful following two attempts with the Fiberoptic™. A success rate of 20% (one of five) was achieved with the Trachlight™ on first attempt after 95 seconds. The Bullard™ was successful in 40 % (two of five) of the patients after a mean time 60 seconds plus/minus five, but was the only device to result in mild oral discomfort one day post operatively.

Conclusions:

In the hands of a novice physician managing a difficult or potentially difficult airway, often encountered in obese patients, the Fastrach™ demonstrated the highest success rate.

Management of the unstable cervical spine: elective versus emergent cases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review focuses on similarities and discrepancies in the management of emergent and elective unstable cervical spine (C-spine) patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

During mobilization, lifting is superior to rolling in limiting spine movements. Before prone position surgery, the transfer of the patient on a rotating table is preferable to rolling. In trauma patients, helical computed tomography (CT) with sagittal reconstruction is the first choice for clearing the C-spine. In those patients, airway compromise may be related to hidden cervical edema or hematoma. Several devices can be of help in performing safe tracheal intubation in patients with limited neck movements, but awake fiberoptic intubation remains the safest procedure. The muscle relaxant antagonist sugammadex can improve safety for rapid sequence induction. It can rapidly reverse profound steroid-based neuromuscular blockade and allows avoidance of succinylcholine in this indication. Propofol anesthesia better prevents coughing upon emergence than inhaled anesthesia. Neuroprotection in cord-damaged patients is disappointing, and the controversy on the efficacy of high-dose methylprednisolone is not closed. Nevertheless, maintenance of homeostasis remains the cornerstone of neuroprotection.

SUMMARY

Subtle details differentiate the management of emergent and elective unstable C-spine patients. In both situations, the presence or the absence of a neurological insult governs the therapeutic strategy.

Awake light-aided blind nasal intubation: prototype device

BACKGROUND

Limited mouth opening associated with unavailable or ineffective fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB) is an intubation challenge. A light-aiding device may facilitate the blind nasal intubation.

METHODS

Awake blind nasal intubation was planned for 16 elective patients with inaccessible oral route (three children and 13 adults, ASA I-II). Topical anaesthesia for the supraglottis, glottis, and upper trachea was performed using prototype supraglottic topical anaesthesia device and cricothyroid injection of local anaesthesia. Hand-made light-aiding intubation device was used to help blind nasal intubation. Three attempts of blind nasal intubation (60 s each) were allowed, otherwise failure and FOB intubation were considered. During the procedure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation (Spa(o(2))) were measured. Temperature created at the bulb surface of the device was measured for 4 min duration, with and without exposing the bulb to oxygen flow of 6 litre min(-1).

RESULTS

All the patients were successfully intubated except one child. Time to intubate in adults was mean (sd) 52.7 (8.6) s. Spa(o(2)) showed significant difference between before and after procedural values. The maximum temperature recorded at the bulb surface was 46.8 (0.4) degrees C and 48.1 (0.8) degrees C with and without oxygen flow, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The device appeared to be a safe and cost-effective transillumination method for blind nasal intubation in difficult airways.

Clinical comparisons between GlideScope® video laryngoscope and Trachlight® in simulated cervical spine instability

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To compare the time taken for tracheal intubation, hemodynamic changes, and perioperative morbidities between the GlideScope (GS) video laryngoscope and the Trachlight (TL) with manual inline stabilization.

DESIGN

Prospective, controlled, randomized study.

SETTING

Operating room.

PATIENTS

60 ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for elective surgery with general anesthesia.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly assigned to the GS group or TL group (n = 30 for each group).

MEASUREMENTS

Noninvasive blood pressure and heart rate at preinduction; preintubation and one, three, and 5 minutes after successful intubation; grade of face mask ventilation; number of intubation attempts; intubation time; apnea duration; mucosal trauma; lip or dental injury; and presence of hypoxia, were all recorded.

MAIN RESULTS

The intubation attempts and perioperative safety data were comparable between the two groups. Intubation time and apnea duration were significantly shorter in the TL group than the GS group. All variables one minute after intubation were greater than baseline values except systolic blood pressure (SBP) in TL group. Both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the degree of change of SBP from the baseline value one minute after intubation in TL group were significantly less than those of the GS group.

CONCLUSIONS

Trachlight offers a faster intubation and a milder hemodynamic response than GS.

Potential cervical spine injury and difficult airway management for emergency intubation of trauma adults in the emergency department--a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Emergency airway management for trauma adults is practised by physicians from a range of training backgrounds and with differing levels of experience. The indications for intubation and technique employed are factors that vary within EDs and between hospitals.

OBJECTIVES

To provide practical evidence based guidance for airway management in trauma resuscitation: first for the trauma adult with potential cervical spine injury and second the management when a difficult airway is encountered at intubation.

SEARCH STRATEGY AND METHODOLOGY

Full literature search for relevant articles in Medline (1966-2003), EMBASE (1980-2003), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Relevant articles relating to adults and written in English language were appraised. English language abstracts of foreign articles were included. Studies were critically appraised on a standardised data collection sheet to assess validity and quality of evidence. The level of evidence was allocated using the methods of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

Cervical spine motion: a fluoroscopic comparison during intubation with lighted stylet, GlideScope, and Macintosh laryngoscope

The question of which is the optimum technique to intubate the trachea in a patient who may have a cervical(C)-spine injury remains unresolved. We compared, using fluoroscopic video, C-spine motion during intubation for Macintosh 3 blade, GlideScope, and Intubating Lighted Stylet, popularly known as the Lightwand or Trachlight. Thirty-six healthy patients were randomized to participate in a crossover trial of either Lightwand or GlideScope to Macintosh laryngoscopy, with in-line stabilization. C-spine motion was examined at the Occiput-C1 junction, C1-2 junction, C2-5 motion segment, and C5-thoracic motion segment during manual ventilation via bag-mask, laryngoscopy, and intubation. Time to intubate was also measured. C-spine motion during bag-mask ventilation was 82% less at the four motion segments studied than during Macintosh laryngoscopy (P < 0.001). C-spine motion using the Lightwand was less than during Macintosh laryngoscopy, averaging 57% less at the four motion segments studied (P < 0.03). There was no significant difference in time to intubate between the Lightwand and the Macintosh blade. C-spine motion was reduced 50% at the C2-5 segment using the GlideScope (P < 0.04) but unchanged at the other segments. Laryngoscopy with GlideScope took 62% longer than with the Macintosh blade (P < 0.01). Thus, the Lightwand (Intubating Lighted Stylet) is associated with reduced C-spine movement during endotracheal intubation compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope.

Lightwand-assisted intubation of patients in the lateral decubitus position

In some situations, patients need endotracheal intubation to maintain airway patency while they are constrained in the lateral position. In this study we compared lightwand-guided intubation of 120 randomly enrolled patients placed in the supine, right, or left lateral position. Group S patients were initially placed in the supine position, and subsequent to the artificial airway having been established they were turned to the lateral decubitus position. Group R patients were initially placed in a right decubitus position during induction and intubation. Group L patients were initially placed in a left decubitus position during induction and intubation. The duration of each intubation attempt, the total time to successful intubation, and the incidence of intubation-related intraoral injury, hemodynamic changes, and postoperative sore throat and hoarseness were recorded. Intubation took a similar length of time in the supine (14.5 +/- 13.4 s), left lateral (13.3 +/- 10.2 s), and right lateral positions (15.5 +/- 13.0 s) and resulted in a similar trend in hemodynamic changes. Patients in the lateral and supine positions revealed a comparable incidence of successful first-attempt intubation, sore throat, hoarseness, oral mucosal injury, and dysrhythmia. Insignificantly more esophageal intubations were performed in the lateral position in the first attempt at intubation; however, all patients were correctly intubated shortly after reattempting intubation. We concluded that lightwand-assisted intubation is easily performed and a similar technique may be used whether the patient is in a lateral, recumbent, or a supine position. This alternative technique should be practiced and is recommended for patients who must remain in a lateral position during intubation and surgery.

Challenges facing the anesthesiologist in the emergency department

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review focuses on developments in airway management and concious sedation/analgesic techniques employed by anesthesiologists in the emergency department.

RECENT FINDINGS

Emergency medicine physicians routinely employ airway devices and techniques that were previously reserved for anesthesiologists. An understanding of the uses and limitations of these devices are essential for successful outcomes. Anesthesiologists responding to the emergency department may be faced with soiled or traumatized airways. The use of newer devices in cervical trauma and the difficult airway is reviewed. Consious sedation in the emergency department is also reviewed. There are no published recommendations demonstrating the advantage of specific agents for sedation in the emergency department. A wide variety of medications and techniques are currently being employed. Studies indicate that the incidence of adverse effects from these agents range from less than 1% to almost 30%. Various organizations have published guidelines detailing the appropriate protocols and equipment that must be present in the emergency department to monitor patients undergoing conscious sedation. These recommendations have not been universally implemented, and several recent studies suggest that a substantial number of emergency departments may have major deficiencies.

SUMMARY

The consultant anesthesiologist responding to a critical airway may face a variety of challenges, including traumatized or soiled airways, patients with cervical spine fractures, and patients who have undergone sedation techniques that may have progressed to deep and general anesthesia. Anesthesiologists may also face the challenge of responding to these emergent situations without all the equipment or adequately trained support staff necessary to handle those emergencies safely.

Advances in airway management for outpatients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As outpatient anaesthesia increases in volume so does research, especially in ways to reduce morbidity from relatively minor complications such as sore throat and hoarseness, as well as aiming to reduce costs and length of hospital stay. The past year has produced many studies in which newer airway devices have been compared with the laryngeal mask airway and this review evaluates them all.

RECENT FINDINGS

The relatively recent introduction of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway shows promise when insertion of a gastric tube is preferred in patients breathing spontaneously, whilst the intubating laryngeal mask airway has demonstrated its usefulness in those situations where the patient prefers to be anaesthetized but intubation may be difficult following classic laryngoscopy. The cuffed oropharyngeal airway and combitube probably only have a place in emergency airway management rather than elective anaesthesia.

SUMMARY

Despite the introduction of new airway devices, some of which have specific indications for use, the classic laryngeal mask airway remains the 'gold standard' with which newer devices are compared. Whilst some of these new devices show promise in the outpatient setting, further research is required before their universal acceptance.