Early experience in use of videolaryngoscopy by a neonatal pre-hospital and retrieval service.

Abstract

To describe initial experience with use of the Glidescope Go videolaryngoscope by an Australian neonatal pre-hospital and retrieval service. We conducted a 31-month retrospective review of an airway registry for neonates intubated by MedSTAR Kids clinicians. Twenty-two patients were intubated using the Glidescope Go, compared with 50 using direct laryngoscopy. First-pass success was 17/22 (77.3%) with the Glidescope Go and 38/50 (76%) with direct laryngoscopy. Complications occurred in 7/22 (32%) and 8/50 (16%), respectively. On initial review of this practice change, videolaryngoscopy allows neonatal tracheal intubation with a comparable success rate to direct laryngoscopy in a pre-hospital and retrieval setting.