A prospective, randomised comparison of KingVision, Airtraq videolaryngoscopes and TotalTrack video intubating laryngeal mask for face-to-face intubation in morbidly obese patients

Backgroud: Traditional endotracheal intubation demands unlimited access to the patient and possibility to stand behind his head. However, in case of difficult conditions in emergency settings we can use an alternative method. Face-to-face intubation can be performed in patients in semi-erect position, prone position and in the situation of difficult access to the head. Method: After obtaining an approval from the Local Ethics Committee Nr RNN/62/20/KE and written informed consent from the patients, we performed in 30 patients who were scheduled for planned operations, randomly divided into 3 subgroups of using KingVision or Airtraq videolaryngoscopes or TotalTrack video intubating laryngeal mask. Results: : The intubation time was comparable between devices: 9.25 ±2.05 s vs 8 ±2.14 s (p=0.2322) in KingVision and Airtraq videolaryngscopes respectively and significantly longer for TotalTrack VILM: 23.5 ±3.89 sec. All three devices allowed for successful intubation in all cases. Both videolaryngoscopes appeared to deliver an optimal view of the entrance to larynx and TotalTrack worse but acceptable. All devices enable the operator to intubate with face-to-face method without any complications. Conclusions: : KingVision and Airtraq videolaryngoscopes and TotalTrack VILM during face-to-face intubation allowed for front-access endotracheal intubation and ensured an good view of larynx entrance. We assume that in case of difficult access to the patient’s head or untypical position, the usage of examined video laryngoscopes, can be considered.