Background: Recently, rigid indirect laryngoscopes with integrated tube guidance such as Pentax-AWS (AWS) and Airtraq (ATQ) are clinically available. They are known to improve the laryngeal view and facilitate intubation compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope (MAC). However, whether these new devices are easy to learn for novice laryngoscopists is not well understood. We surveyed medical students regarding their usefulness in intubation procedure on mannequin.
Methods: Sixty-six medical students with no intubation experience were enrolled. A short instruction including practice for four devices (MAC, Miller laryngoscope (MIL), AWS, and ATQ) was given. Four intubation procedures (one for each device) to the mannequin (Laerdal airway trainer) were performed. The time to place the tube, percentage of glottic opening (POGO), incidence of esophageal intubation and teeth click were recorded. Participants were asked to choose the best device for their use. For statistical analyses, ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used where appropriate, and P < 0.01 considered significant.
Results: Time for intubation was significantly longer in ATQ (P < 0.01). POGO was significantly higher in AWS, but lower in MAC (P < 0.01). Complications were fewer in AWS (P < 0.01), and 70% of the participants chose AWS as the best device.
Conclusion: With minimal instruction including practice, the AWS seemed to achieve safer intubation with better laryngeal view for novice laryngoscopists.