Free-Hand vs. air-Q–Guided Fiber-Optic Intubation in Young Children

Fiber-optic tracheal intubation can be particularly challenging in infants. To evaluate the possible benefits of using a supraglottic airway as a conduit for fiber-optic intubation, researchers recruited 80 healthy children between 1 and 24 months of age, with American Society of Anesthesiologists class 1–3, who were undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery. Patients were randomized to insertion of a fiber-optic bronchoscope either by the conventional (free-hand) method or through a previously placed air-Q laryngeal mask airway, and by either an experienced (attending physician) or inexperienced (trainee) operator.

There were no significant differences in median time to successful tracheal intubation between the free-hand and air-Q…