Intubation using the Miller and Airtraq™ laryngoscopes: A paediatric manikin study

Introduction: To see if the Airtraq™ paediatric laryngoscope is easier and faster for paramedic students to use than the traditional Miller (straight blade) laryngoscope. Methods: A randomised cross-over study involving 72 paramedic students. Each student intubated a Laerdal ALS baby™ manikin (Laerdal Medical Limited) representative of an 8 kg infant, once with the Airtraq™ and once with a Miller blade laryngoscope. The manikin was intubated with a size 3.5 endotracheal tube and a rigid stylet was used with the Miller blade but not with the Airtraq™. Results: The Airtraq™ resulted in a 100% intubation success rate compared with 74% using the Miller laryngoscope. There were 14 oesophageal and five abandoned intubation attempts all in the Miller group. There was no statistical significance in median intubations times (P = 0.464) between the Miller and Airtraq™ groups. Participants rated both laryngoscopes easy to use and when asked which device they preferred, 46.5% selected the Miller laryngoscope (citing familiarity) and 53.5% preferred the Airtraq™ (citing ease of use). Discussion: The Airtraq™ resulted in a 100% of all intubation attempts being successful and over half of all student paramedics believed it to be easier to use. The Airtraq™ was no faster that traditional intubation but intubation speed may have been affected by student familiarity with the Airtraq™.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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