Comparison between gum elastic bougie and malleable stylet as aids to intubation during application of cricoid pressure: a prospective randomised controlled study

Background: Rapid sequence intubation with application of cricoid pressure is widely practiced in all emergency situations to prevent aspiration of gastric contents. Stylet or gum elastic bougie is used as intubation aid for rapidly securing the airway. Aim: To compare gum elastic bougie and malleable stylet as aids for endotracheal intubation during application of cricoid pressure. Results: Endotracheal intubation was successful in the first attempt in all of the 60 patients enrolled in the study. Time taken for laryngoscopy and intubation was clinically similar in both the groups of patients. However, in the stylet group, successful ET intubation was achieved in about 7 sec less when compared to the bougie group (p< 0.05). Ease of intubation as compared using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Score was similar in both groups. Laryngeal view improved in 22 patients of 60 patients (36.66%) after application of cricoid pressure, while it remained the same as before in 22. Overall, the grade remained the same or improved after cricoid pressure in 73.3% of patients. The laryngeal view worsened in 16 patients (27.7%). Conclusion: Gum elastic bougie and stylet are equally effective intubation aids during rapid sequence intubation. Intubation aided by bougie takes more time than that of a stylet, even though it is clinically trivial. Cricoid pressure does not affect the laryngoscopic visualisation of glottis in majority of patients