Successful use of the AirTraq laryngoscope in 3 cases of difficult intubation

Domínguez García D, Vázquez Naville I, Rodríguez González O, Martín Iglesias A

Managing the difficult airway continues to challenge physicians who specialize in this

problem (emergency physicians, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, etc).

Whereas aids based on supraglottic designs have evolved considerably, the development

of transglottic devices has proven more challenging. Various options are available for

patients who can be ventilated but not intubated. The new AirTraq® device is an indirect

laryngoscope for use in these situations. It incorporates a scope that enables a view of

the glottis and of the orotracheal tube as it is advanced past the vocal cords. Aligning

the oropharyngeal and laryngeal axes is unnecessary and ease of use is attested by a

high first-attempt success rate. The AirTraq can be used to insert both conventional and

double-lumen tubes. We describe 3 cases in which this device facilitated the intubation

of difficult airways.

Domínguez García D, Martín Iglesias A, Rodríguez González O, Vázquez Naville I