PERFORMANCE OF A PLASTIC OPTICAL-FIBER STYLET FOR TRACHEAL INTUBATIONOF A DOG

Objective. We set out to establish whether a novel plastic optical fib er incorporated into an endotracheal tube (ETT) stylet could be used f or intubation of a dog. A secondary objective examined the need for a direct illumination source from a laryngoscope. Lastly, the fragility of the system was tested. Methods. An anesthetized dog was repeatedly intubated using a laryngoscope to elevate the tongue and the view of t he larynx conducted through the plastic optical fiber styler (placed w ithin an endotracheal tube) and displayed on a television monitor. Fou r prototype identical stylers were tested. Repeated intubations were a ttempted with each stylet and graded as either successful or failed. A ll four stylers were tested 10 times each using a Miller 4 blade and d irect illumination from the laryngoscope. Two of the four stylets were reused during an additional 10 intubation attempts using a Miller 4 b lade and laryngoscope (without batteries) with only ambient light. Fin ally, one stylet was used for intubation after 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 s harp 90 degree bend-and-straighten cycles using a Miller 4 blade and l aryngoscope for direct illumination. Results. All attempted intubation s were successful. However, the image quality was dramatically better when direct illumination from a laryngoscope was used than when ambien t light was used. One plastic optical fiber styler was successfully us ed to intubate after having been used for 20 intubations and 50 sharp 90 degree bend-and-straighten cycles. A partial lens separation occurr ed between the 41st and 50th bend cycle but the image remained adequat e enough to successfully intubate again. Conclusions. A novel plastic optical fiber incorporated into an ETT styler can be used with a laryn goscope for intubation of a dog. Direct illumination from a laryngosco pe provides a better television monitor image than when only ambient l ight is used. The system was durable, withstanding over 20 uses and 40 sharp bend-and-straighten cycles before a lens separation failure occ urred.