Efficiency of a new fiberoptic stylet scope in tracheal intubation

Background: Failed or difficult tracheal intubation is an important cause o f morbidity and mortality during anesthesia. Although a number of fiberopti c devices are available to circumvent this problem, many do not allow manua l control of die flexion of the tip and necessitate time-consuming preparat ion, special training, or the use of an external Light source. To improve t hese limitations, the authors designed a new fiberoptic stylet scope (FSS) that has a simple form of a standard stylet with the fiberoptic view and ma neuverability of its tip. This study was undertaken to prospectively evalua te the effectiveness of the FSS in tracheal intubation, Methods: Thirty-two patients undergoing general surgery participated in thi s study. The authors used a standard laryngoscope only to elevate the tongu e, then tracheal intubation was attempted with the glottic opening being vi ewed only through the FSS. The success rate, time necessary for intubation, hemodynamics, and adverse effects were recorded Results: The success rate of tracheal intubation on the first attempt using the FSS was 94% (30 of 32 patients), and the remaining tno patients were i ntubated successfully on the second attempt The mean time necessary for the intubation procedure was 29 +/- 14 s in all patients (mean +/- SD), Change s in hemodynamics during intubation were well within acceptable ranges. The re were no major adverse effects, but minor sore throat (28%) and minor hoa rseness (25%) on the first postoperative day, Conclusions: Tracheal intubation using the FSS proved to be a simple and ef fective technique for airway management.