Tracheal intubation by non-anaesthetist physicians using the Airway Scope

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the Airway Scope for tracheal intubation by non-anaesthetist physicians. METHODS: Under supervision by staff anaesthetists, non-anaesthesia residents performed tracheal intubation using either the Airway Scope (n = 100) or Macintosh laryngoscope (n = 100). The time required for airway instrumentation and the success rate at first attempt were investigated. RESULTS: The time to secure the airway was shorter with the Airway Scope than with the Macintosh laryngoscope (p<0.001). The success rate at first attempt was higher with the Airway Scope than with the Macintosh laryngoscope (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Airway Scope may reduce the time to secure the airway and the incidence of failed tracheal intubation in novice laryngoscopists.