Standard Flexible Fiberscope Superior to Ambu aScope 2

The Ambu aScope 2 is a new inexpensive, single-use, flexible video endoscope. To compare performance of the aScope 2 and a standard reusable fiberscope, researchers randomized 100 healthy adult elective surgery patients to intubation with either device by a single experienced anesthetist. A semirigid cervical collar was placed on all patients to simulate a difficult airway. Patients with body-mass index >35 kg/m², previous difficult intubation, cervical spine instability, previous pharyngeal surgery or radiotherapy, gastroesophageal reflux, or dental instability were excluded.

The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. All intubations were successful. Median intubation time was longer with the aScope 2 than with the standard fibers…