Comparison of the Airtraq and McCoy laryngoscopes using a rigid neck collar in patients with simulated difficult laryngoscopy.

Study Objective: To determine the efficacy of the Airtraq versus the McCoy laryngoscope as intubation devices with the neck stabilized by a rigid cervical collar.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

Setting: Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College.

Patients: 60 ASA physical status 1, 2, and 3 patients, aged 18-70 years, scheduled for various surgical procedures requiring tracheal intubation for surgical anesthesia.

Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to undergo intubation with the McCoy (n = 30) or Airtraq (n = 30) laryngoscope.

Measurements And Main Results: Differences in intubation times between the Airtraq and the McCoy laryngoscope, modified Cormack-Lehane score, percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score, and airway trauma were compared. Overall intubation success rates were 100% with both devices and a similar number of intubation attempts were required. However, the mean (SD) time required for successful intubation was shorter with the Airtraq (28.73 ± 6.39 sec) than the McCoy laryngoscope (39.11 ± 14.01 sec; P < 0.0001). The frequencies of intubation complications were similar. Esophageal intubation occurred in 4 cases but only with the McCoy laryngoscope.

Conclusion: Intubation time was shorter with the Airtraq than the McCoy laryngoscope, even though the overall success rates between the two devices were similar.