The use of intubating lightwand in difficult airway patients with limited management options.

Abstract

The intubating lightwand is a recommended airway management tool in patients with failed direct laryngoscopy or intubation; but the device is under-utilised. This study reports successful lightwand intubation in a cohort of 22 consecutive adult patients with difficult airway; who required endotracheal general anaesthesia, in the presence of limited management options. Patients underwent different procedures: tonsillectomy (2), pharyngeal biopsy (6), abdominal surgery (5), thoracoscopy (3) and maxillofacial surgery (6). All the patients had a difficult airway, reduced mouth opening, neck anomalies and airway scores of Mallampati 3 or 4. They were all intubated easily, promptly and safely with the lightwand. This study shows the utility of lightwand intubation in patients with difficult airway and limited airway management options. The study highlights that the lightwand is durable, portable, cost-effective, easy to use and easy to maintain; compared to other devices for difficult intubation.