Lighted Stylet and GlideScope Reduce C-Spine Motion During Intubation

To determine the safest method for intubating patients with unstable cervical spine injuries, investigators monitored cervical spine motion during different methods of intubation in noninjured, immobilized patients.

Thirty-six healthy, nonobese, elective anesthesia patients without cervical spine instability or anticipated difficult intubation were block-randomized to undergo laryngoscopy with a Macintosh 3 laryngoscope blade and either a Trachlight lighted stylet or GlideScope video laryngoscope. All laryngoscopies were performed in random order by one experienced operator after induction of general anesthesia and neuromuscular paralysis; intubation was performed as part of the second laryngoscopy. Each patient was immobilized on a spine bo…