Success Rate of Orotracheal Intubation via GlideScope®versus Direct Laryngoscopy in Manikin-Only–Trained Medical Personnel

Abstract

In Reply:— We thank Dr. Dupanovic for his comments regarding our article, giving us the opportunity to point out some important questions in this field of research.1First, Dr. Dupanovic states that our results appear surprising, with an intubation success rate of about 50% for the conventional technique with a Macintosh blade and about 90% with the GlideScope (Verathon Medical Europe, Ijsselstein, Netherlands). However, when you compare our results with other studies looking at the success rate of intubation performed by medical personnel intubate only occasionally, or in novices of tracheal intubation, these results are very similar.2–5Second, according to Mulcaster et al. 6manikin-only training is inadequate for learning tracheal intubation properly, and the step from manikin intubation to intubation of patients makes a major difference. We totally agree. That is exactly the point where difficulties for the inexperienced operators occurred. They had to deal with airways that differed from patient to patient, and they had to overcome their reluctance to use the necessary force to lift the laryngoscope against the resistance of the soft tissue. At this early step of training, the novices felt much more comfortable and had a higher success rate with the GlideScope technique.Third, Dr. Dupanovic points out that the operators failed to intubate because they failed to achieve a better view of the glottis. Dr. Dupanovic speculates that they might have benefitted from difficult airway training at the manikin before their first intubation attempts in patients. This might have been true. However, we kept our training close to the present training for paramedics, medical students, or novices in anesthesia. Currently, these training sessions start with normal, “easy” intubation in the manikin and patients and progress to difficult intubation after the students have learned easy intubations. In most training centers, manikins for simulated difficult airway training are not available yet. We share the view that training of simulated difficult intubation before intubation of patients might have changed our results, but that was not our study design. We think it is a good idea to integrate simulated difficult airway training in the upcoming years, even for beginners before intubation of patients.Fourth, the conventional laryngoscope with a Macintosh blade is still the most common approach for tracheal intubation. It is widely available, less expensive, and the maintenance is easier than that of the GlideScope. Therefore, in the near future the GlideScope and comparable devices cannot entirely replace the conventional technique, but can be looked upon as an important alternative technique for expected and unexpected difficult intubations.Finally, the most important question is whether the extensive use of alternative laryngoscopes lead to a deficit in training and skills with the conventional laryngoscope. Dr. Dupanovic states that in the beginning, training with the GlideScope might improve the training with the Macintosh blade because the trainees recognize what they are supposed to see, and the attending anesthesiologist can give more precise directions.However, after the first improvements they might not progress to a level that they might reach if they are solely focused on the conventional technique. Basically, this dilemma is comparable to the situation in obstetrics, where the skills for difficult intubations can hardly be taught because most cesarean deliveries are performed under regional anesthesia; therefore, the residents might not get enough exposure and experience.Overall, we think that for anesthesia residents tracheal intubation with conventional laryngoscopes should still be one of the major skills that have to be learned during residency. It is the obligation of the attending anesthesiologists to ensure that the residents receive enough exposure and expertise under controlled conditions.In contrast, for medical personnel who only perform occasional intubations, often in emergency situations, it is not the place and the time to train difficult airway management with the conventional laryngoscope but to switch to a monitor-assisted device like the GlideScope that has a higher success rate. A success rate of about 50% in rather inexperienced medical personnel is too low to withhold more effective devices, even when their overall training with the conventional laryngoscope might suffer. Therefore, in the setting of the emergency room or in the field in highly equipped ambulance cars, a device like the GlideScope should be available. Future research will show if significant improvements can be made.We thank Dr. Dupanovic for voicing his concerns and pointing out how much is still unclear in this field. We also thank the editor for presenting this important discussion.*Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany. h.groeben@kliniken-essen-mitte.de