Awake orotracheal intubation using fiberoptic bronchoscope versus Airtraq laryngoscope in morbidly obese patients

Background Awake endotracheal intubation using the fiberoptic bronchoscope is the gold standard in morbidly obese patients. It needs special skills and high training. The disposable Airtraq laryngoscope had been used for difficult intubation. It can have some advantages compared with the fiberoptic bronchoscope during awake orotracheal intubation. Patients and methods In this study, 60 morbidly obese patients were randomly assigned to be intubated awake with either the fiberoptic bronchoscope (30 patients) or the Airtraq laryngoscope (30 patients). Time needed for intubation, the number of intubation attempts, success rate, and complications were assessed in the two groups. Results The time needed for intubation was significantly shorter in the Airtraq group compared with the bronchoscope group. As regards the number of attempts, there was a nonsignificant difference between the two groups. All patients were intubated successfully with a nonsignificant incidence of complications between the two groups. Conclusion The Airtraq laryngoscope can be used safely as the fiberoptic bronchoscope for awake orotracheal intubation in morbidly obese patients.