Airtraq Outperforms Other Devices for Face-to-Face Intubation

No prior studies have compared performance of intubation devices in difficult prehospital scenarios, such as face-to-face intubation. Researchers in France compared intubation performance of the Airtraq laryngoscope, GlideScope, and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Fastrach, in random order, in a simulated normal airway scenario and two simulated difficult airway scenarios: supine position with cervical collar and upright seated position with cervical collar (simulating face-to-face intubation). Intubations were performed by 30 senior emergency medicine physicians (median experience, 7 years) who received instruction and practiced with each device.

All three devices performed similarly in the normal airway and cervical spine immobilization scenar…