GlideScope Versus Direct Laryngoscope for Emergency Intubation

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Oral Intubation
• Interventions: Device: type of laryngoscope

• Registration Number: NCT01235065
• Lead Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess if the GlideScope video laryngoscope is superior to the Macintosh direct laryngoscope for definitive airway management in acutely-injured patients.

Detailed Description

On admission to the emergency department following traumatic injury, many patients require placement of an artificial airway to support their breathing, provide oxygen and protect their airway. This procedure is accomplished through a number of different techniques and few studies have compared these techniques in order to establish the best method. We will compare an older technique using a metal handle and blade that allows for direct visualization of the vocal cords (direct laryngoscopy) to a newer technique that employs a fiberoptic bundle imbedded in a handle that allows indirect visualization of the vocal cords during placement of the artificial airway. The newer technique has the theoretical advantage of being more useful in patients with abnormal airways which are frequently encountered in trauma patients. Since both techniques are currently employed routinely in our institution, we will randomize all trauma admission to have an initial attempt with one of the two techniques in order to perform a randomized, unblinded trial.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2008-07
• Study First Submitted: 2010-10-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-11-03
• Study First Posted: 2010-11-05
• Primary Completion: 2016-11-16
• Study Completion: 2016-11-16
• Results First Submitted: 2018-02-07
• Status Verified: 2018-06
• Results First Submitted QC: 2023-05-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-05-04
• Results First Posted: 2023-06-01
• Last Update Posted: 2023-06-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 623

Inclusion Criteria

• require emergency intubation

Exclusion Criteria

• age < 18
• require surgical airway on initial assessment
• have known or strongly suspected spinal cord injury

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
video laryngoscope	type of laryngoscope	emergency intubation with video laryngoscopy technique
direct laryngoscope	type of laryngoscope	emergency intubation with direct laryngoscopy technique

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants Who Survived to Hospital Discharge	2 weeks, on average	Assessment of whether or not the patient was discharged alive from the study center

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Length of Time to Perform the Intubation Procedure	Up to 100 seconds	How long (seconds) it takes the provider to perform the intubation procedure.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center; 🇺🇸 Baltimore, Maryland, United States