22 Jun 2023 • The use of video laryngoscopy results in a higher incidence of successful intubation on the first attempt among critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation in an emergency department or intensive care unit, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study included 1,417 patients from 17 emergency departments and ICUs in 11 hospitals around the country. The researchers found that successful intubation on the first attempt occurred in 85.1 percent of patients in the video-laryngoscope group and 70.8 percent in the direct-laryngoscope group. The two groups had similar safety outcomes, including esophageal intubation, injury to the teeth, and aspiration. Among critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation in an emergency department or ICU, the use of a video laryngoscope resulted in a higher incidence of successful intubation on the first attempt than the use of a direct laryngoscope.

For almost a century, tracheal intubation has been accomplished with a direct laryngoscope, a simple device composed of a handle and a blade with a light. But over the past 20 years video laryngoscopes have become more widely used. Study author Dr. Matthew Semler said the study also shows that the video laryngoscope appears to be especially helpful for the less experienced clinician.

“Now that we know we should be using the video laryngoscope, the next logical question is which type. We hope that future research can answer that question.”

Source: NEJM | Read full story