• Benjamin Berg, Richard A Walker, W Bosseau Murray, and Ben H Boedeker.
• Telehealth Research Institute, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. bwberg@hawaii.edu
• Aviat Space Envir Md. 2009 Sep 1;80(9):820-3.

IntroductionAirway management may be required during medical evacuation in a helicopter when patients deteriorate en route. Laryngoscopist positioning at the head of the patient may not be possible, making it difficult to perform direct laryngoscopy (DIR). An alternative method is video laryngoscopy (VID) that displays magnified images of the glottic opening on a video monitor and allows intubation despite nonstandard positioning.MethodsThere were 21 experienced aeromedical emergency medical personnel who intubated a recumbent manikin with the operator seated at the head of a secured helicopter stretcher in a power-off helicopter. Each subject performed intubations using DIR and VID in standard- and difficult-airway manikins (STD and DIF, respectively). Data were collected for subjective glottic visualization grades, intubation times, and intubation success rates.ResultsVisualization grades were 2.43 +/- 0.81 for STD-DIR and 1.10 +/- 0.30 for STD-VID, compared to 1.76 +/- 0.54 for DIF-DIR and 3.72 +/- 0.57 for DIF-VID. Success rates were 95% for both STD-DIR and STD-VID, 5% for DIF-DIR and 95% DIF-VID. Mean intubation time for DIF-VID was 0.90 min +/- 0.80 min, not different from STD-DIR.DiscussionThe success rate for difficult airway intubation by aeromedical personnel in a power-off evacuation helicopter was significantly improved by enhancing glottic visualization using VID vs. DIR in a manikin.

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