[Use of Eschmann's gum elastic bougie in difficult orotracheal intubation, an audit over eight years of clinical practice]

Abstract

Objectives: The objective was to check on the effectiveness of difficult orotracheal intubation by Eschmann's gum elastic bougie in our institution.

Study design: Retrospective observation study led for eight years.

Patients and methods: All the orotracheal intubations during the inductions in the surgical unit of the hospital of Laon were listed from 1998 to 2005, whether they were achieved in a classical way, with a fibrobronchoscope or with Eschmann's gum elastic bougie.

Results: Out of 15,657 intubations, 301 of them were difficult. Eschmann's gum elastic bougie was used 276 times with a rate of success of 99%.

Conclusion: Our study confirms the figures of publications, particularly the anglo-saxon ones and proves the interest of the Eschmann's gum elastic bougie in orotracheal intubations and this in first intention.