Prevention of Tooth and Gum Damage: Novel Application of Airtraq Laryngoscope

Conventional laryngoscopy with the Macintosh Laryngoscope has been the gold standard for tracheal intubation since 1940s.1 Failed attempts to intubate the trachea and secure airway, both in the operating room and outside, still remains a cause of anesthesia-related mortality and morbidity.2-5 Investigation is, therefore, in progress to find the best methods and/or equipment to augment the success rate and lessen the potential complications of tracheal intubation.6, 7 The Airtraq Laryngoscope (Prodol, Meditec, Viscaza, Spain) (Figure 1) was first reported as a useful device for indirect laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in 2006.8 Applications of the Airtraq are not limited to difficult intubation.9 Some studies have shown its advantages over the Macintosh Laryngoscope with regard to “first attempt success” rate and less intubation time.10 Others have focused on the Airtraq role as recommended intubation device in special situations such as emergent intubation in the operating room11 and outside the operating room12, 13 as well as cervical spine immobilization.14 These studies have sought to assess the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation, hypoxemia, esophageal intubation, regurgitation, airway trauma, and cardiac arrest. None of these studies has, however, mentioned the probable role of the Airtraq in decreasing dental trauma.