Comparison of tracheal intubation by the Macintosh laryngoscope and Pentax-AWS (Airway Scope) during chest compression: a manikin study

To compare tracheal intubation with the Pentax Airway Scope (AWS) and the Macintosh laryngoscope (McL) during chest compression, 25 anesthesiologists (including 12 specialists having >5 years of experience and 13 trainees having <2 years of experience) performed tracheal intubation using either the McL or the AWS, with or without chest compression, on a manikin. Using the McL, both specialists and trainees took a significantly longer time (P < 0.01) to secure the airway with chest compression (17.3 ± 3.7 and 22.5 ± 8.0, respectively) and than without chest compression (11.3 ± 2.9 and 13.9 ± 4.4 s, respectively). No significant difference was observed in time needed to secure the airway using the AWS with or without chest compression in both groups. From the standpoint of experience, time to complete intubation for specialists using the McL during chest compression was significantly shorter than that for trainees. In contrast, the difference in time to complete intubation with the AWS during chest compression was not significantly different between the two groups. Based on these results, we conclude that the use of the AWS may reduce the time needed to secure the airway during chest compression.