A Randomized, Blinded, Clinical Study of Injury Incidence During Endotracheal Intubation: Comparison of GlideScope Video Laryngoscopy and Direct Laryngoscopy

Abstract

Injuries can occur during endotracheal intubation. This prospective, randomized, blinded study aimed to determine if a difference exists in incidence of injury following endotracheal intubation using either direct laryngoscopy or the GlideScope video laryngoscope (Verathon Inc). A convenience sample of 155 patients scheduled to undergo surgery to the head, face, neck, or throat were randomized to either GlideScope or conventional direct laryngoscopy groups. Following induction of general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation, the patients were assessed for injuries to the mouth and pharynx by an otolaryngologist who was not part of the study staff and was blinded to the method of intubation. The difference between injury rates in the 2 groups was analyzed using a χ² test, which yielded a P = 0.3976 and a χ² statistic of 1.0445 (critical value = 3.841), indicating that no statically significant difference in the incidence of injury exists between conventional direct laryngoscopy and GlideScope-facilitated endotracheal intubation.

Keywords: Endotracheal intubation; GlideScope; injury; video laryngoscope.