The Flex-It™ Stylet Is Less Effective than a Malleable Stylet for Orotracheal Intubation Using the GlideScope®

• DOI: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181bc116a
• Publication Date: 2009-11-16T08:14:58Z
• Authors: Timothy P. Turkstra; Philip M. Jones; Katherine M. Ower; Michelle L. Gros
• Keywords: Stylet; Orotracheal intubation; Interquartile range

The GlideScope videolaryngoscope (Verathon Medical, Bothell, WA) usually provides excellent glottic visualization, but directing an endotracheal tube through the vocal cords can be challenging. goal of study was to compare dedicated Flex-It stylet (FIS, Parker Highlands Ranch, CO) with a malleable stylet, as assessed by time intubation (TTI).Eighty patients requiring orotracheal for elective surgery were randomly allocated either FIS or (control) facilitate tracheal using GlideScope. TTI recorded blinded assessors; operators until after laryngoscopy. operator ease 100-mm visual analog scale (0 = easy 100 difficult). number attempts, failures, grades, and use external laryngeal manipulation documented.The median 41 s (interquartile range [IQR] 30-51) group compared 32 (IQR 28-42) control (P 0.03). score 20 11-39) 15 8-28) 0.13). overall incidence Cormack-Lehane Grade I II view 100%.In experienced GlideScope, less effective than stylet.