Glidescope versus McGrath Video Laryngoscope used by Anesthetic Residents- Thailand

Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand

 J Med Assoc Thai 2018 , 101 (6): 803

Comparison of Glidescope and McGrath Video Laryngoscope for Intubation and Adverse Events by Anesthetic Residents

Methods:

A prospective randomized trial was performed with 40 patients betweenthe ages of 18-65 who were ASA Class I-III for elective surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to : Glidescope group or the McGrath group using computer generated numbers applied to a group of first year anesthesia residents with a minimum of 3-6 months experience with Direct Laryngoscopy.

The operator measured and recorded the intubation time , number of attempts, complications and vital signs.

Results:

Intubation time was significantly shorter for the Glidescope when compared to the McGrath laryngoscope ( 26.8 sec. vs 55.1 sec.

  The number of intubation attempts as well as the complications were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

Conclusion:

Intubation time was significantly less with the Glidescope group of patients than the McGrath group.

Comment:

As I am the Glidescope inventor my comments will reflect my greater knowledge of the Glidescope which preceded the other device. The differences between the various video laryngoscopes is ofter minimized but there are marked differences in behavior of the highly angled (60 degree) laryngoscopes and the lesser angled devices and the intelligent user will know these differences and will apply the knowledge when choosing the tool best suited to the anatomy of the patient.

The Glidescope and McGrath devices both belong to the highly angled laryngoscope group and therefore may behave similarly. What accounts for the finding of difference in intubation time in this study?

The Glidescope ergonomics may account for the superior performance seen in this study. The great attention to detail in design may even result in more confidence especially in this group of first time users. There is great science in other fields that develops superior user interface features. Medical devices may not have such attention to detail when engineering is being implemented. The superb ergonomics of the Glidescope is well known.

See also PaceyCuff.com