Optical Laryngoscopes Beat Out Rigid for Novices Performing Tracheal Intubation

Novices have greater success with tracheal intubation using an optical laryngoscope compared with a rigid laryngoscope, according to a study published in the Feb. 2011 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

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The study, conducted by researchers at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, compared success of novices in tracheal intubation using both types of laryngoscopes. The success rate for intubation was higher with the optical device (23 of 30 attempts) compared with the rigid device (8 of 30 attempts).

In addition, intubation time was shorter for the optical device at an average of 35 seconds, while intubation with a rigid laryngoscope took an average of 75 seconds.

Read the abstract of the study in Anesthesia & Analgesia.

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