Objective: To assess the learning curve of a new lighwand device, Trachlight (Laerdal), for blind orotracheal intubation in patients without foreseen difficulty in airway management.
Study design: Open, prospective, clinical study. USERS: Twelve persons practicing anaesthesia (specialists, trainees, nurses) underwent videotape learning and manikin training with ten successful intubation manoeuvres required with the device.
Methods: Each person had to carry out a tracheal intubation in ten consecutive patients undergoing scheduled surgery and without history or clinical sign of difficults airway management.
Results: One hundred and twenty patients were included. The overall success rate with the Trachlight was 87%. An easy learning curve was obtained as demonstrated by the low failure rate in the first three patients, and by the success rate on the first or second attempt in the last four patients. There was no significant difference in failure rate with or without muscle relaxation (10 vs 20%, NS). Finally, all failures with the Trachlight were followed by successful intubation using direct laryngoscopy, and no traumatic complications were recorded with the device.
Conclusion: Trachlight is a new lightwand device enabling blind tracheal intubation with a easy learning curve in patients without difficulty in airway management, even for non-selected operators.