A comparative study between the laryngoscope and lighted stylet in tracheal intubation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Approaching the airways with a laryngoscope can cause different types of injuries. The objective of the present study was to determine whether lighted stylet tracheal intubation can be a less traumatic alternative for patients when compared to direct laryngoscopy. METHODS Ninety-eight patients between 16 and 88 years and physical status ASA I and II participated in the present study. Patients were separated into two groups: Group L, 54 patients who were intubated with a laryngoscope, and Group E, 44 patients who were intubated with a lighted stylet. The number of attempts, time until intubation, variation in blood pressure and heart rate, and postoperative sore throat (odynophagia), dysphagia, and hoarseness were evaluated. RESULTS Demographic data and hemodynamic parameters were similar in both groups. Statistically significant differences in the incidence of sore throat and dysphagia were not observed. Hoarseness was the only data that showed statistically significant differences, being more predominant in Group E (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The intubation techniques are similar regarding the hemodynamic behavior in both groups. However, hoarseness was more common in group with lighted stylet.