Success rates of blind orotracheal intubation using a transillumination technique with a lighted stylet.

The technique of guided orotracheal intubation using a lighted stylet depends on the transillumination of the soft tissues of the neck to direct the tube through the glottis and into the trachea. We conducted an operating room study of this technique, recording success rates and intubation times of 50 patients undergoing elective surgery. All patients were intubated successfully, 35 of 50 (70%) on the first attempt, 12 of 15 (80%) on the second attempt, and three of three (100%) on the third attempt.