Comparison of TruView and King Vision video laryngoscopes in subaxial cervical spine injury: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Airway management with cervical spine immobilization poses a particular challenge for intubation in the absence of neck extension and risks neurological damage in cases of unstable cervical spine injuries. Here, with manual inline stabilization (MILS) in patients with cervical spine injuries, we compared the safety/efficacy of intubation utilizing the TruView versus King Vision video laryngoscopes. METHODS: This prospective, single-blind, comparative study was conducted over a 3-year period. The study population included 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grade I-III patients, aged 18–65 years, who underwent subaxial cervical spine surgery utilizing two intubation techniques; TruView (TV) versus King Vision (KV). For both groups, relative intubation difficulty scores (IDS), total duration of intubation, hemodynamic changes, and other complications (e.g., soft-tissue injury and neurological deterioration) were recorded. RESULTS: With MILS, patients in the KV group had statistically significant lower IDS (0.70 ± 1.02) and significantly shorter duration of intubation as compared to the TV group (1.67 ± 1.27) with MILS (P = 0.0010); notably, the glottic exposure was similar in both groups. The complication rate (e.g., soft-tissue injury) was lower for the KV group, but this was not statistically significant. Interestingly, no patient from either group exhibited increased neurological deterioration attributable to the method of intubation. CONCLUSION: King Vision has several advantages over TruView for intubating patients who have sustained cervical spine trauma. Nevertheless, both laryngoscopes afford comparable glottic views and safety profiles with similar alterations in hemodynamics.