At a glance
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New Maneuver to Facilitate Fiberoptic Intubation for Difficult Airway: A Prospective, Randomized Study
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Lingual Traction, Sham, and 1 other intervention for Anticipated Difficult Airway. Completed, enrolled 78 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
We propose the additional technique of lingual traction or "tongue pulling" in conjunction with use of the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope for facilitating successful first attempts at and decreasing time to intubation of the difficult airway and rescuing otherwise failed intubation attempts. Induction of general anesthesia causes relaxation and approximation of the soft palate, base of the tongue, epiglottis, and posterior pharyngeal wall, creating unfavorable anatomic changes in the pharynx for successful intubation. The use of lingual traction can assist in diminishing these problems by clearing the tongue away from the soft palate and uvula and lifting the epiglottis from the posterior pharyngeal wall, especially in the unanticipated difficult airway patient.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
The tongue pulling maneuver consists of grasping the tongue with 4x4cm gauze and gently pulling the tongue out until resistance is met.
Standard of care fiberoptic intubation without any additional experimental maneuvers