GlideScope Video Laryngoscopy vs. Direct Laryngoscopy with Manual In-Line Stabilization

The GlideScope video laryngoscope has an angulated distal tip that directs a video camera toward the glottis. A previous study showed that GlideScope video laryngoscopy (GVL) produced less cervical-spine (C-spine) movement than direct laryngoscopy (DL) when an immobilization device was used to stabilize the C-spine (Journal Watch Emergency Medicine Oct 25 2005). In the current study, investigators compared C-spine motion during GVL and DL when manual immobilization is used to stabilize the C-spine; DL with manual immobilization is the method most commonly used for trauma intubation.

Twenty elective anesthesia patients without spine abnormalities each underwent GVL and DL, in random order, performed by one of two anesthesiology residents who …