Parker Flex-Tip Tube® provides higher intubation success with the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope® despite the AWS tip being inserted into the vallecula

Abstract

The Parker Flex-Tip(®) tube, in combination with the Pentax-Airwayscope(®) (AWS), is anecdotally reported to facilitate intubation when the AWS tip fails to be inserted behind the epiglottis. We examined whether the Parker tube facilitates intubation when the AWS tip is inserted into the vallecula. Forty patients were randomly assigned into either the standard or Parker tube group. Following general anesthesia induction, AWS intubation was attempted with the blade tip inserted into the vallecula. After obtaining an optimal laryngeal view, the tube was advanced toward the glottis. The laryngoscopist allowed additional adjustment of the blade tip direction when the first tube insertion failed because of involvement or folding of the epiglottis resulting from advancement of the tube. The primary outcome was defined as the success rate for intubation and secondary outcome as the time needed for tube placement. The Parker tube provided both a higher intubation success rate (17/20 vs. 4/20, P<0.01), and a faster intubation time (17±5 s vs. 25±4 s, P<0.01), than the standard tube. We conclude the use of the Parker tube in combination with the AWS is an optional technique allowing the laryngoscopist to obtain more reliable intubation success despite insertion of the AWS tip into the vallecula.