A comparison of the Laryngopharyngeal Examination blade and the English Macintosh laryngoscope blade using an intubating manikin: a prospective randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To compare the new design laryngoscope blade, Laryngopharyngeal Examination blade, with the English Macintosh blade for examination of the laryngopharynx and placement of a nasogastric tube in the presence of a tracheal tube, time taken to insert the nasogastric tube and for tracheal intubation in an adult intubation manikin.

METHODS

A prospective randomized and crossover trial with 81 anaesthetists of different expertise taking part in the study. Ease of laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, examination of hypopharynx and time taken to insert the nasogastric tube were measured using the new design laryngoscope blade compared with the Macintosh blade in a manikin.

RESULTS

Using the new design blade, examination of the hypopharynx was found easier by 75% of participants and insertion of nasogastric tube after tracheal intubation was found easier by 77% of participants. Time taken to insert the nasogastric tube was shorter with the new design blade. Ease of laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation using the new design laryngoscope blade was found to be comparable or superior to the Macintosh blade by 68% of the participants.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that, in a manikin, the new design blade can make nasogastric tube insertion easier when compared with the Macintosh blade and it can be used to facilitate laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Further studies are needed to evaluate its use in patients.