An observational study of feasibility of tracheal intubation using Airtraq in pediatric population

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is a paucity of observational studies for the use of Airtraq (AT) in children, especially infants. We undertook a prospective observational study to compare ease of use of infant (size 0), pediatric (size 1), and small (size 2) AT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: AT was used for endotracheal intubation in healthy pediatric patients of 3 months to 18 years age. The primary outcome was success of intubation which was noted as number (%) and analyzed using Fisher's exact test. The secondary outcomes were percentage of glottis opening (POGO) score, visual analog scale (VAS) for field of view, time to best view (TTBV), time to intubation (TTI), and VAS for ease of use and were presented as median (interquartile range) in each subgroup of sizes and analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test. RESULTS: Overall POGO score was 100 (100, 100 [50–100]) %, VAS field of view was 10 (10, 10 [5–10]), and TTBV was 6 (4, 10 [1.5–24]) s. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the subgroups. The success rate of intubation with AT was 100% with AT size 1 and 2, whereas 45% with AT 0, P < 0.001. VAS for ease of use was 5 (4, 10 [3-10]) with AT 0 compared to 10 (10, 10 [9–10]) with AT 1 and 10 (10, 10 [6–10]) with AT 2 (P < 0.001). TTI was 28 (20, 36 [11.8-59]) s in those who could be successfully intubated. CONCLUSIONS: All sizes of AT provide quick, easy, and excellent glottic visualization. However, failure rate for intubation with infant (size 0) is high compared to nil with pediatric (size 1) and small (size 2).