| Background & Aims: Video-guided laryngoscopy, though unproven in achieving better success rates of laryngoscopy outcome
and intubation, seems to provide better glottic visualization compared with direct laryngoscopy.The objective of this study was
to compare the efficacy of video-guided laryngoscope (VGL) in the airway management skills of medical students.
Materials and Methods: Medical students throughout their anesthesiology rotations were enrolled in this study.All students
received standard training in the airway management during their course and were randomly allocated into two 20 person
groups. In Group D, airway management was performed by direct laryngoscopy via Macintosh blade and in Group G intubation
was performed via VGL. Time to intubation, number of laryngoscopy attempts and success rate were noted. Successful intubation
was considered as the primary outcome.
Statistical Analysis: All data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were used for analysis
of categorical variables. For analyzing continuous variables independent t-test was used. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically
significant.
Results: Number of laryngoscopy attempts was less in Group G in comparison to Group D; this, however, was statistically
insignificant (P: 0.18). Time to intubation was significantly less in Group G as compared to Group D (P: 0.02). Successful
intubation in Group G was less frequently when compared to Group D (P: 0.66). Need for attending intervention, esophageal
intubation and hypoxemic events during laryngoscopy were less in Group G; this, however, was statistically insignificant.
Conclusions: The use of video-guided laryngoscopy improved the first attempt success rate, time to intubation, laryngoscopy
attempts and airway management ability of medical students compared to direct laryngoscopy. |