[Comparison of airway scope and videolaryngoscope portable VLP-100 in the presence of a neck collar--a manikin study].

Background: Tracheal intubation should be performed with great care in the multiple injury patient, particularly when damage to the cervical spine is suspected. The patient with unstable cervical spine requires a neck collar in prehospital area, and medical personnel may be required to perform tracheal intubation. We compared Macintosh laryngoscope with the Airway Scope (AWS), and Coopdeck videolaryngoscope portable VLP-100 (VLP-100) in a manikin model with the presence of a neck collar.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study in 20 medical residents with little prior airway management experience. They inserted the AWS, VLP-100 and Macintosh laryngoscope, in turn, and the view of the glottis at laryngoscopy was graded, using a classification reported by Cormack and Lehane. Tracheal intubation time and the success rate of tracheal intubation (within 120 sec) were also recorded.

Results: The AWS provided a best view of the glottis, a shorter tracheal intubation time and a higher success rate of tracheal intubation, compared with VLP- 100 and Macintosh laryngoscope.

Conclusions: The AWS may possess advantages over conventional direct laryngoscopes in patients with restricted neck movement.