The incidence of trauma with the use of glidescope in anticipated difficult airway cases – A prospective observational study

Background: Glidescope video-laryngoscope (GVL) is an invaluable equipment for patients with anticipated difficult intubations that aids in visualizing the vocal cords out of line-of-sight. However, despite the ease in the visualization and shortening of the time taken to visualise the cords, the intubation time is often prolonged and is associated with trauma. This study aims at identifying incidence of trauma with glidescope in anticipated difficult airway scenario and whether correct practice by experienced anesthesiologist can reduce trauma. Methodology: Eighty-nine adult patients with anticipated difficult airway who were intubated using GVL by experienced anesthesiologists in a tertiary care setting were studied. The time to visualize, the time to intubate, the difficulties encountered at intubation were documented, the incidence of trauma was reported. The factors associated with trauma were analyzed using PSPP software (psppire. exe 0.8.4-g012d99). Results: The incidence of airway trauma was 11.2%. It was higher in the group with technical difficulties (Gtd) (P < 0.001) and was less in the hands of an experienced anesthesiologist (P = 0.02). Conclusion: GVL intubation in anticipated difficult airway cases by experienced anesthesiologists using the right technique has lesser incidence of trauma, lesser than that is seen with Macintosh intubations in anticipated difficult airway scenario. Knowledge on techniques to troubleshoot technical difficulties with GVL may reduce the incidence of trauma further and needs to be studied more.