Comparison of the force required to perform endotracheal intubation on healthy adult patients utilizing the GlideScope® videolaryngoscope and Macintosh laryngoscope: a systematic review protocol.

Abstract

REVIEW QUESTION / OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the characteristics of the force, in Newton, required to perform endotracheal intubation utilizing a GlideScope® (Verathon Medical, Bothwell, WA, USA) videolaryngoscope or a Macintosh laryngoscope on healthy adult patients. This involves the determination of the quantum of force in Newton required to visualize the epiglottis and perform the orotracheal intubation with either a GlideScope® videolaryngoscope or a Macintosh laryngoscope blade. INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants The target population of this systematic review will be healthy adult patients who provided informed consent for this study and were undergoing elective surgery, with or without rapid sequence intubation. Specifically, patient populations that will be included in this review are adults who are over the age of 18 with a body mass index of less than 35 and are of physical status classification 1 or 2 in accordance to the American Society of Anesthesiologist. These limiters were applied to this review's population of interest to control for the potentially increased laryngoscope handle force applied by the laryngoscopist under conditions that deviated from normal, hence confounding device-related force comparison. Laryngoscopists used must be experienced with both the GlideScope® and Macintosh laryngoscopes, as defined by having at least 25 attempts with each device. The techniques utilized for pediatric laryngoscopy as well as airway anatomy axes are not the same as those for adults; as such pediatric patients will not be included. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS