Alborz University

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the laryngeal view in Airtraq and Macintosh laryngoscopes.

Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted on hospitalized patients at Shohadaye Ashayer Hospital who were candidate for elective surgery with general anesthesia. One anesthesiologist evaluated and recorded glottis view with Macintosh laryngoscopy based on cormack lehane score and another anesthesiologist who was unaware of the observations of the previous anesthesiologist evaluated and recorded glottis view with Airtraq laryngoscope.

Results: The mean age of patients was 30.6 ± 8.89 years old. Mean BMI 22.10 ± 3.25 kg/m² and duration of intubation was 28.3±6.92 seconds. The Airtraq laryngoscope significantly decreased the Cormack-Lehane score (P = 0.043). Cormack lehane score With the Macintosh laryngoscope was I in 187 patients (69%), II in 56 patients (21.3%), III in 20 patients (7.8%) and IV in 5 patients (1.9%) and with laryngoscope Airtraq was I in 248 cases (93.6%), II in 16 patients (5.2%) and III in 3 patients (1.1%). Improvement in view of larynx was observed in 194 cases (73.0%) with Airtraq laryngoscope and lack of improvement was seen in 73 (27.0%) cases.

Conclusion: Considering the high rate of improvement in observation of view of larynx with an Airtraq laryngoscope, decreasing the Cormack-Lehane score, and facilitating the tracheal intubation, Airtraq laryngoscope is a safe and useful for tracheal intubation in elective surgery with general anesthesia.