Comparative study between a sensascope and a flexible fiberoptic in head and neck cancer surgeries with diffi cult airways

الملخص EN

Background Many devices have been become widely available for managing diffi cult airways, including rigid fi berscopes and fl exible fi beroptic bronchoscopes.

The sensascope is different from the fl exible fi beroptic in that it can be used with one hand (preferably the right hand) while the left hand is used to insert the laryngoscope as recommended by experienced users.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effi cacy of a sensascope in the management of diffi cult airways in patients scheduled for head and neck cancer surgeries.

Patients and methods This study was conducted at the National Cancer Institute on 60 patients.

The patients were divided into two equal groups, group F ( FOB) and group S (sensascopes), each comprising 30 patients.

The following parameters were measured: patient characteristics including age, sex, weight, and ASA classifi cation, airway assessment, hemodynamic changes, number of failures of intubation, duration of intubation, number of attempts, and complications that may occur during manipulation of the airway.

Results The success rate of intubation and the number of failures were statistically comparable between the two groups.

The mean time taken to complete successful intubation was signifi cantly shorter in group F compared with group S.

The number of patients successfully intubated at fi rst attempt was signifi cantly higher in group F than in group S.

The number of patients successfully intubated at second attempt was signifi cantly higher in group S than in group F.

The number of patients who needed three attempts to be successfully intubated was statistically comparable between the two groups.

There was statistically signifi cant increase in pulse rate and mean arterial blood pressure immediately after successful intubation in group S compared with baseline and with group F.

There was a signifi cantly higher incidence of staining of the fi berscope blade with blood and transient change in voice in group S compared with group F.

Conclusion The sensascope can be a valuable aid in the management of diffi cult intubation in a spontaneously breathing anesthetized patient, and should be added to backup devices in the event of diffi cult intubation.