Publication: Effectiveness of lightwand (trachlight) intubation by 1<sup>st</sup> year anesthesia residents
Issued Date
2002-09-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01252208
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0036763945
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.85, No.SUPPL. 3 (2002)
Suggested Citation
Somchai Amornyotin, Vimolluck Sanansilp, Vararat Amorntien, Parichat Tirawat Effectiveness of lightwand (trachlight) intubation by 1<sup>st</sup> year anesthesia residents. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.85, No.SUPPL. 3 (2002). Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/20369
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Effectiveness of lightwand (trachlight) intubation by 1<sup>st</sup> year anesthesia residents
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Transillumination of the soft tissue of the neck using a lighted stylet (lightwand) is an effective and safe intubating technique in experienced hands. The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of this device in intubating the trachea of elective surgical patients by non-experienced hands. One hundred and fifty, paralysed, anesthetized, adult patients (ASA I-II, no known or potential problems with intubation) were studied. Failure to intubate was defined as lack of successful intubation after three attempts. The duration of each attempt was recorded as the time from insertion of the device into the oropharynx to the time of its removal. The total time to intubation (TTI) was defined as the sum of the durations of all (as many as three) intubation attempts. Complications, such as mucosal bleeding, lacerations, dental injury and sore throat were recorded. The mean TTI was 42.0 ± 34.3 seconds. The overall intubation success rate was 92 per cent. Of all the successful intubations, 87.68 per cent were successful after one attempt. There were significantly fewer traumatic events (5.33%). Most of the trauma consisted of minor mucosal bleeding or mucosal laceration. We conclude that lightwand intubation is an effective and safe technique in non-experienced hands.