Comparison of AirTraq Laryngoscope to Macintosh Laryngoscope for Intubation of Patients With Potential Cervical Spine Injury

Intubation is frequently required for trauma patients as part of the resuscitative effort. When the stability of the cervical spine is unknown, the potential for spinal cord damage during intubation is significant; the question of the safest intubating technique has not been resolved. Previous Studies have evaluated Macintosh Laryngoscopy, Bullard Laryngoscope, face mask ventilation, fibre-optic guided oral and nasal intubation, esophageal Combitube®, Laryngeal Mask Airway® (LMA), and Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway® (ILMA) use with respect to cervical spine movement. Our previous study evaluated the Intubating Lighted Stylet (Lightwand®) and GlideScope® versus the Macintosh Laryngoscope.

Another method of securing endotracheal intubation, approved and in routine use, is the AirTraq® videolaryngoscope (ProMedic, Inc, Bonita Springs, FL, USA). The AirTraq videolaryngoscope is a videolaryngoscope with an external video display of the glottic opening and an endotracheal tube track to guide the ETT through the vocal cords (www.airtraq.com). When a clear view of the vocal cords is obtained, the endotracheal tube may be advanced into the trachea. This technique can be performed rapidly and safely and there is the perception that it involves less cervical spine movement than direct laryngoscopy.

We propose to study the AirTraq videolaryngoscope to determine if its use would result in reduced cervical spine movement during intubation.