Tracheal intubation by novice staff: the direct vision laryngoscope or the lighted stylet (Trachlight)?

OBJECTIVE To compare the ease of use of the direct vision laryngoscope and the lighted stylet (Trachlight) by novice staff. METHODS Ten novice medical officers (MOs) performed orotracheal intubations using either the conventional direct vision laryngoscope (DL) or a lighted stylet device (Trachlight). They performed their DL intubations during the first phase of the study, followed by the Trachlight intubations in the subsequent phase. RESULTS 51 of 54 (94%) of the DL intubation attempts were successful compared with 36 of 54 (67%) of the Trachlight intubations (p<0.001). The mean (SEM) time for intubation was 44 (7) seconds in the DL group and 66 (13) seconds in the Trachlight group (p=0.004). In addition 45 of 54 (83%) of the DL intubations were successful at the first attempt versus 15 of 54 (28%) in the Trachlight group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION The results show that the use of the conventional direct vision laryngoscope in novices is associated with significantly shorter mean intubation times and higher success rates on the first attempt compared with the Trachlight.