[Comparison of the Pentax-AWS and Fineview video laryngoscopes in the ease of laryngoscopy in 50 patients].

BACKGROUND

We compared the Pentax-AWS and Fineview video laryngoscopes in the ease of laryngoscopy in 50 patients.

METHODS

Preoperatively, the view of the pharynx (Mallampati score), the thyromental distance and the inter-incisor distance at opening the month were assessed. After induction of anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, the two devices were inserted in turn in a randomized order. The views of the glottis (Cormack and Lehane classification) was compared between the two devices.

RESULTS

Mallampati score was 3 in one patient; the thyromental distance was less than 6 cm in 5 patients; and the inter-incisor distance was less than 4 cm in 2 patients. With the Pentax-AWS, the view of glottis was always grade 1, whereas with the Fineview, the view was grade 1 in 36 patients, grade 2 in 13 patients and grade 3 in one patient. The view was significantly better with the Pentax-AWS compared with the Fineview (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the view of the glottis obtained using the Pentax-AWS was significantly better than the view obtained with the Fineview.