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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Sep 15;13(1):15314.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-42503-5.

Tongue retraction using a McIvor blade improves airway condition during fiberoptic intubation: a randomized controlled trial

Jiyoun Lee #  1 , Sung-Hee Han #  1   2 , Jin-Hee Kim  1   2 , Seongjoo Park  3 , Ji Hyeon Lee  1 , Hyeong Geun Kim  1 , Jin-Woo Park  4   5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Tongue retraction using a McIvor blade improves airway condition during fiberoptic intubation: a randomized controlled trial

Jiyoun Lee et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Airway clearance is crucial for successful fiberoptic intubation. We hypothesized that tongue retraction using a McIvor blade could facilitate fiberoptic intubation. This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare intubation time and airway condition between the jaw thrust maneuver and tongue retraction with the McIvor blade during fiberoptic intubation. Ninety-four adult patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomly assigned to one of two groups. During fiberoptic intubation, airway clearance was secured by applying the jaw-thrust maneuver (J group) or by tongue retraction using the McIvor blade (M group). We assessed the total intubation time, number of attempts for tube advancement, and airway clearance at the soft palate and epiglottis levels. The total intubation time was significantly shorter in the M group than in the J group (p = 0.035). The number of attempts to advance the tube was significantly lower in the M group (p = 0.033). Airway clearance at the soft palate level was significantly better in the M group than in the J group (p = 0.027). Retracting the tongue with the McIvor blade demonstrated a better condition for fiberoptic intubation and shortened total intubation time compared with the jaw-thrust maneuver.Clinicalregistiration: CRIS; http://cris.nih.go.kr (KCT0002392) registered 28/07/2017.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) The McIvor blade and (b) the placement of McIvor blade with the patient’s head extended. The participant provided consent for the publication of identifying image in an online open-access publication.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Bronchscopic assessment of airway clearance at the soft palate and epiglottis levels.
Figure 3
Figure 3
CONSORT flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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