[GlideScope videolaryngoscope: a clinical assessment of its performance in 200 consecutive patients].

BACKGROUND

The GlideScope videolaryngoscope is a new device for endotracheal intubation, which provides a view of the glottis without alignment of the oral pharyngeal and tracheal axes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the GlideScope in patients.

METHODS

We evaluated the performance of the GlideScope" in 200 consecutive patients requiring orotracheal intubation for surgery.

RESULTS

In the 200 patients, excellent (Cormack-Lehane [C-L] view 1) or good (C-L 2) laryngeal exposure was obtained in 68% and 31% respectively and successful orotracheal intubation was achieved in all the patients. The mean +/- SD time to intubate was 51 +/- 20 seconds in trainees, 52 +/- 25 seconds in junior anesthesia residents, 48 +/- 18 seconds in senior anesthesia residents, and 50 +/- 18 seconds in staff anesthetists.

CONCLUSIONS

The GlideScope was easily handled not only by experienced anesthetists but also by novice personnel. The GlideScope seems to be a novel device in routine and difficult airway management.