Laryngoscope. Evaluation of a device preventing blade contamination.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and the difficulty of use of a disposab le sheath which prevents the contamination of blades. Study design: Prospective bacteriological, virological and clinical evaluat ion. Material: A translucid cover sheath, made of polyethylene enclosing the bla de of the laryngoscope, and delivered in clean, non-sterile packaging (Prol am(TM), Peters). Method: 1)A control of sterility performed by setting-up a culture derived from the solution used for rinsing the device before its use. 2) An in vitr o study of the effectiveness of preventing contamination of the blades by a polio virus/RT-PCR technique. 3) Clinical evaluation: after 200 orotrachea l intubations by 12 anaesthesiologists and 15 nurse anaesthetists, a questi onnaire on the ease of use was completed. Results: The bacteriological study of the sheats before use showed an accep table level of contamination. The sheath was an effective barrier against p oliovirus, even after 12 h of immersion. Clinically, the sheath was easily adapted over the blade of the laryngoscope in 98% of the cases. Insertion i n the mouth was considered as easy in 94% of the patients. The visualizatio n was good or excellent in 83% of the cases and in 16% of the patients, the users experienced difficulties to intubate. Conclusion: The laryngoscope blade sheath is simple and easy to use, effici ent and not expensive. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.