International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery
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Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyLightwand-guided nasotracheal intubation in oromaxillofacial surgery patients with anticipated difficult airways: a comparison with blind nasal intubation.
In oromaxillofacial surgery patients, the incidence of difficult airways is up to 15.4-16.9%. Blind nasal intubation remains a safe technique for difficult airway management in some remote areas where a fibreoptic bronchoscope is not always available. The lightwand is an easy-to-use, highly economical device, and can facilitate endotracheal intubation through illumination in the neck. ⋯ The total intubation time was 91.4±27.7s in the lightwand group and 130.7±33.4s in the blind group (P<0.001). Patients in the lightwand group also experienced more stable haemodynamic responses and less pharyngalgia. In conclusion, lightwand-guided nasotracheal intubation is superior to blind intubation in patients with difficult airways, with a higher success rate, more stable haemodynamic responses, and fewer postoperative complications.