Fiberoptic Guided Intubation

This study titled "Comparative Study Between Combined Video Laryngoscope and Video Stylet Intubation Versus Combined Video Laryngoscope and Fibreoptic Intubation in a Simulated Difficult Airway" aims to evaluate and compare two advanced intubation techniques used in managing difficult airways. Currently, there is no study in Malaysia that compares the combination of a video laryngoscope (VL) with a video stylet (VS) and the combination of VL with a fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB). Although both methods have been investigated separately, direct comparisons in simulated difficult airway settings are limited. The findings of this study will help guide airway management protocols and improve clinical outcomes in challenging airway situations. This is a single-centre, randomized comparative crossover trial conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, HCTM, UKM. Ethical approval will be obtained from the departmental and university ethics committees prior to commencement. The study population will consist of anaesthesiology medical officers with at least two years of experience and anaesthesiology trainees in their second to fourth year of training at HCTM, UKM. Participants with severe hand tremors or those who decline participation will be excluded. The main objectives are to compare the first-pass intubation success rate, time to successful intubation, and operator-rated ease of intubation between the two combined techniques. Each participant will perform both VL with VS and VL with FOB intubations in a simulated difficult airway scenario. The study hypothesizes that the combined VL with VS technique will provide superior performance, a higher first-pass success rate, shorter intubation time, and greater ease of use compared to the VL with FOB technique. Participants who fail to complete all procedures or withdraw after participation will be considered dropouts. The results from this study are expected to provide useful insights into the effectiveness and practicality of these two combination techniques for airway management training and clinical application.

Airway management problems are key drivers for anesthesia-related adverse events. Awake tracheal intubation using flexible bronchoscopy and preserved spontaneous breathing (ATI:FB) is a recommended technique to manage difficult tracheal intubation in anaesthesia, intensive care and emergency medicine. ATI:FB is regarded as the gold standard of tracheal intubation in many scenarios, however there is insufficient data on the patients experience while undergoing this form of airway management. ATI:FB can be facilitated using either a transnasal or transoral route. The study aims to compare patient-centred and operator-focused outcome parameters between these two different approaches with a focus on patient discomfort.