Should We Use GlideScope In Neonates?

September 4, 2019

Written by Clay Smith

Spoon Feed
GlideScope (GS) may have some advantage to direct laryngoscopy (DL) in neonates, potentially reducing time to intubation (TTI) in those with a more challenging glottic view.

Why does this matter?
The GS has been studied in adults and children, but very little is known about its use in neonates.

Scope them babies
Seventy neonates who were low risk and scheduled for elective surgery were randomized to either GS or usual care with DL. There was no difference in the primary outcome, TTI. However, there were some interesting secondary outcome differences that are hypothesis generating. Overall, Cormack and Lehane (C&L) glottic view was improved with GS. Also, for the five neonates in each group with grade III or IV C&L view, TTI was significantly lower with GS. First attempt success was greater with the GS, though this result was not statistically significant.

Source
Comparison of GlideScope Video Laryngoscopy and Direct Laryngoscopy for Tracheal Intubation in Neonates. Anesth Analg. 2019 Aug;129(2):482-486. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000003637.

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