CLINICAL-TRIAL OF A NEW DEVICE FOR FIBEROPTIC OROTRACHEAL INTUBATION (AUGUSTINE SCOPE(TM))

Blind oral intubation using the Augustine Guide(TM) is helpful for int ubating the trachea of patients presenting with difficult airways. Thi s device has been modified by adding a fiberoptic scope with a built-i n battery-powered light. We studied this Augustine Scope(TM) in 104 pa tients (Group AS) and compared the results with 96 patients managed by direct laryngoscopy (Group DL). No significant differences in Mallamp ati class, thy thyromental distance, laryngoscopic view, and patients height or weight were observed between the two groups. The Augustine S cope(TM) provided conditions for successful intubation in 102 of 104 p atients (98%), compared with a 97% success rate in the group where DL was used. The three patients who failed DL were successfully intubated with AS. The mean +/- so time needed to perform intubation was 19 +/- 10 s in Group AS and 21 +/- 13 s in Group DL (P = not significant). N o traumatizing effects were observed. We conclude that the Augustine S cope(TM) is an effective and safe device for orotracheal intubation in routine and difficult airways.