Improved blind tracheal intubation in rats: a simple and secure approach

Successful tracheal intubation is the prerequisite for open-chest models. Tracheal intubation in small animal such as the rat is often challenging due to the small size and special anatomy. We investigated whether endotracheal intubation can be performed safely and reliably in rats employing only gesture fixation and a catheter. Rats were randomly classified into three groups: Improved blind intubation (B group) was performed with gestures fixed intubation position. Transillumination intubation (T group) utilized light to locate the larynx. Incision intubation (I group) was intubated after trachea incision. The feasibility, difficulty, complications of the three groups were compared. B group was faster than the other two groups. Completion time of the operation was recorded as follows: B group: 35.00 ± 9.86 sec; T group: 57.12 ± 6.54 sec; I group: 184.33 ± 25.49 sec (P≤0.001). B group has fewer attempts than Group T (P=0.001). The operational success rates of all three groups (B group 14 (93.3%) vs. T group 12 (80.0%) vs. I group 13 (86.7%)) were similar (P>0.05). In terms of operation difficult and operational complications, the differences between the three groups were not significant. The rate of endometrial damage under microscope were no difference, too. The Improved blind endotracheal intubation is a simple method, with a comparable safety profile to that of the transillumination and incision intubaton.