A NEW DEVICE FOR BLIND ORAL INTUBATION IN ROUTINE AND DIFFICULT AIRWAY MANAGEMENT

41 patients (ASA I-II) were intubated using a new device for blind ora l intubation (Augustine Guide(TM)). A group of 33 consecutive patients (Mallampati I and II), was studied for routine intubation. Another gr oup of eight patients (Mallampati III and IV) was selected to study th e guide in difficult airway management. Intubation was successful in 3 1 of the 33 normal patients (two patients required a second attempt), and in seven of the eight patients in the difficult intubation group ( three patients with two attempts). In the remaining three patients int ubation had to be performed by direct laryngoscopy. One patient (Malla mpati IV), was intubated by the Augustine guide after three unsuccessf ul attempts by direct laryngoscopy. The Augustine Guide(TM) proved to be helpful to intubating patients with an anterior larynx and receding mandible. However, blind oral intubation attempts required a median d uration of 65 s (range 35-90 s). Patients with a low Mallampati score did not benefit from the new device.