Video Laryngoscopy or Macintosh Laryngoscopy: Which One Is More Successful in Patients With Bilateral Mandibular Fractures?

PURPOSE: Successful intubation is challenging in patients with bilateral mandibular fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the video laryngoscope (VL) with the Macintosh laryngoscope (ML) for intubation of patients with bilateral mandibular fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial study, patients who had bilateral mandibular fractures (angle or subcondylar) were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups using computerized randomization. Laryngoscopy was performed by the ML in group 1 and the VL in group 2. Intubation device (ML or VL) was the predictive factor of the study and age, maximum mouth opening (MMO), incisor fracture, and gender were the variables. Intubation time and successful intubation at the first attempt were the study outcomes. Independent t test was applied to compare intubation time, MMO, and age between the 2 groups.

RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were studied (40 in group 1 and 38 in group 2). Mean intubation time was 33.02 ± 9.68 seconds in group 1 and 39.16 ± 7.40 seconds in group 2. Comparison of the data showed a significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .002). Twenty-four patients in group 1 and 31 in group 2 were successfully intubated at the first attempt. There was a significant difference in the number of successful or failed intubation attempts between the 2 groups (P = .03).

CONCLUSION: According to the present findings, use of the VL increased the first-attempt success rate of intubation in patients with bilateral mandibular fractures. Time of intubation could be longer when using the VL than when using the ML.