METHODS:
The primary outcome of the study was the extent of cervical spine motion at the occiput–C1, C1–C2, and C2–C5 segments. In this randomized crossover study, the cervical spine angle was measured before and during tracheal intubation using either the Optiscope or the McGrath videolaryngoscope in 21 patients with simulated cervical immobilization. Cervical spine motion was defined as the change in angle at each cervical segment during tracheal intubation.
RESULTS:
There was significantly less cervical spine motion at the occiput–C1 segment using the Optiscope rather than the McGrath videolaryngoscope (mean [98.33% CI]: 4.7° [2.4–7.0] vs 10.4° [8.1–12.7]; mean difference [98.33% CI]: −5.7° [−7.5 to −3.9]). There were also fewer cervical spinal motions at the C1–C2 and C2–C5 segments using the Optiscope (mean difference versus the McGrath videolaryngoscope [98.33% CI]: −2.4° [−3.7 to −1.2]) and −3.7° [−5.9 to −1.4], respectively).
CONCLUSIONS:
The Optiscope produces less cervical spine motion than the McGrath videolaryngoscope during tracheal intubation of patients with simulated cervical immobilization.
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