Initial clinical experience of the MedAn videolaryngoscope with the Nishikawa blade

Abstract

BackgroundThe MedAn videolaryngoscope with the Nishikawa blade has been designed to make videolaryngoscopy and tracheal intubation safer and more successful. AimWe aimed to preliminarily evaluate the performance of this new videolaryngoscope system for routine tracheal intubation at a teaching hospital. MethodsA total of 243 patients with apparently normal airways scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to the consultant or trainee group according to the actual operation schedule. Video clips of videolaryngoscopic intubation were recorded to analyze the relevant parameters. The primary outcome was the first-attempt intubation success rate. The secondary outcomes included the total time to successful intubation (laryngoscopy and intubation times) on the first attempt and recorded soft tissue injury. ResultsThe first-attempt intubation success rate was 98.8% (240/243). The median total time to intubation on the first attempt was 26.0 s, and it was longer in the trainee group than in the consultant group (median, 28.0 vs. 23.0 s, p < 0.001). Soft tissue injury was not observed. ConclusionThe MedAn videolaryngoscope with the Nishikawa blade can provide an excellent laryngeal view and sufficient intubation pathway for safe, easy, and effective intubation in patients with apparently normal airways.