Use of the Bonfils Fiberscope in Patients with Simulated Difficult Airways

The Bonfils fiberscope is a rigid, fiber-optic intubating stylet that is used to introduce an endotracheal tube through the vocal cords under fiber-optic visualization. Researchers compared intubation success with this device and the Macintosh laryngoscope in patients with simulated difficult airways.

Seventy-six women who were scheduled for elective gynecologic surgery and who did not have difficult airway features were placed in cervical collars to impose limitations in mouth opening and neck range of motion. Patients were randomized to undergo intubation using either the Macintosh laryngoscope or the Bonfils fiberscope. A single anesthesiologist who was skilled with both devices performed all intubations. The rate of intubation success wa…