When patients have a general anaesthetic (go to sleep for surgery), the anaesthetist often places a small tube into their windpipe (intubation) to help them breathe. To see exactly where to put the tube, the anaesthetist uses a device called a laryngoscope.
A commonly used laryngoscope is the McGrath videolaryngoscope. It has a small camera and screen to help guide safe placement of the tube. It comes in two different shapes - one shaped in the same way laryngoscopes have been shaped for the last 80 years, and another newer design (McGrath X-blade) that matches the curve of patients' tongues better.
All different classes of videolaryngoscope have been shown to have benefits to patients; however, the best videolaryngoscope shape has yet to be determined.
The McGrath X-blade is currently recommended in patients in whom the anaesthetist thinks it might be slightly more difficult to place the tube, but some anaesthetists already prefer to use it in all their patients. This is not a new device or a new technique.
In this study, the investigators wish to explore if there is any special benefit of using it in all patients, by collecting some information when the device is used.
Adult patients undergoing surgical procedures requiring tracheal intubation as part of their routine anaesthetic care
Patients undergoing either naso- or oro-tracheal intubation
Patients undergoing tracheal intubation with or without administration of neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g. those undergoing surgery where facial nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring will be utilised)
Patients <18 years of age
Patients in whom tracheal intubation is not required as part of their routine anaesthetic care
Patients in whom tracheal intubation was not planned as part of their routine anaesthetic care, but was required as a rescue technique (e.g. for failed insertion of a supraglottic airway) since appropriate patient consent will not have been obtained · Patients that are physiologically unstable (where clinical care must take priority and/or patient is unable to consent for inclusion in the study)
NHS Lothian
Lead sponsor
Medtronic
Collaborator