The Accuracy of Tests Used to Predict Difficult Airway and a Comparison of Macintosh Laryngoscope to Video Laryngoscope for Intubation

Objectives: To compare TruView EVO2 video laryngoscope (VL) and Macintosh laryngoscope (ML) as regards their success rates in difficult intubation, hemodynamic response and postoperative complications. Design: Prospective study Setting: Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey Subjects and Methods: A total of 60 cases were enrolled to the study. Group ML (N = 30) were intubated using ML and Group VL (N = 30) were intubated using TruView EVO2 (TM) VL. Main Outcomes Measures: Cormack-Lehane score was used to evaluate the visualization vocal cords and intubation difficulty. The time required for visualization of vocal cords, total intubation time, difficulty in intubation were also recorded. Results: For all cases, having BMI >30, Mallampati grade > 3, Cormack-Lehane score > 3, short neck, not being able to touch chin to chest, no mandibular protrusion, distance between incisor teeth < 3 cm and, thyromental distance < 7 cm corresponded to the difficult intubation cases of 46.15%. The time period of visualization of vocal cords was significantly longer in Group VL. CormackLehane > 3 and difficult intubation rate was significantly higher in Group ML. The ratio of ones having Mallampati scores of III - IV and Cormack-Lehane scores of I - II was found 17% in Group ML, while the ratio was 30% for Group VL. In all cases, regarding patients having difficult intubation, the success rate of intubation was found as 79.3%. Conclusion: High success rates of intubation were seen with both TruView EVO2 (TM) VL and ML. Either ML or VL can be used in case of difficult intubations.