Use of the fibreoptic stylet scope (Styletscope (TM)) reduces the hemodynamic response to intubation in normotensive and hypertensive patients

Purpose: To compare hemodynamic changes after tracheal intubation when usin g a new fibreoptic stylet scope (Styletscope (TM)) and a conventional laryn goscope in normotensive and hypertensive patients. Methods: Normotensive (N; n=30) and hypertensive (H; n=30) patients undergo ing general anesthesia participated in this study. Each group was divided i nto two groups. In one group, patients were intubated by using a stylet sco pe with a laryngoscope as an adjuvant (S; n= 15 each), while patients in th e other group were intubated using a laryngoscope by the usual technique (L ; n = 15 each). The time necessary for intubation, hemodynamic changes, and adverse effects were recorded. Results: Patients in the normotensive groups (SN and LN groups) showed sign ificant increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures from befor e induction to one minute after intubation; however, blood pressures in the SN group were significantly lower than those in the LN group. Both systoli c and diastolic blood pressures increased after intubation in the LH group, but not in the SH group. Heart rates in all four groups showed significant increases, and there were no differences between heart rates in the stylet scope and laryngoscope groups or between the normotensive and hypertensive groups. The number of patients who complained of sore throat was greater i n the laryngoscope groups. Conclusions: Tracheal intubation with a stylet scope can attenuate hemodyna mic changes and reduce the incidence of sore throat in comparison with the conventional laryngoscope technique in both normotensive and hypertensive p atients.