Comparison of the incidence of epistaxis following nasotracheal intubation when using either the fibreoptic laryngoscope technique or the Macintosh laryngoscope technique

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Surgery; Intubation; Surgery: Intubation

• Registration Number: ISRCTN71888001
• Lead Sponsor: Record Provided by the NHSTCT Register - 2007 Update - Department of Health

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2007-09-28
• Last Update Posted: 30 October 2017

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: Not specified
• Target Recruitment: 250

Inclusion Criteria

1. The patients involved will be scheduled for elective surgery on Maxillofacial operating lists. Potential participants will be identified when they attend the surgical pro-clerking clinic, approximately one week before the planned surgery. Suitable patients will be those in whom nasotracheal intubation is essential, ASA classification 1 or 2, with no significant undercurrent illness.
2. A clinical history will be taken and medical examination performed on potential participants. If inclusion criteria are present and exclusion criteria are absent, three questions will be asked:
2.1 Do you have any difficulty breathing through your nose?
2.2 Can you usually breathe clearly through both nostrils?
2.3 Can you usually breathe equally through both nostrils or is one nostril clearer than the other?
3. Asymptomatic patients who report being able to breathe clearly and equally through both nostrils will be invited to consider participating in the clinical investigation. A full explanation will be given and questions answered. The patient will be given a copy of the patient information sheet. S/he will then be allowed to think about the proposal and will then be seen again on the day of operation.
4. Patients in whom nasotracheal intubation is an essential part of their anaesthetic management. Otis not ethical to perform a potentially traumatic nasotracheal intubation unless it is required to facilitate the planned surgery.
5. ASA physical status 1 or 2. Only patients who present no increased anaesthetic risks will be studied
6. Aged 16 and over undergoing elective surgery
7. Asymptomatic patients who report being able to breathe clearly and equally through both nostrils (if one nostril is reported to be clearer, then randomisation of nostril for intubation must not be performed)
8. Able and willing to give informed written consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. Morbid obesity - BMI>35 (anaesthetic risk associated with intubation)
2. Oesophageal reflux (anaesthetic risk associated with intubation)
3. Difficult tracheal intubation (anaesthetic risk associated with intubation)
4. History of nasal trauma (probable distorted nasal architecture)
5. History of nasal obstruction or nasal pathology (should have fibreoptic nasendoscopy to assess nasal cavities)
6. Bleeding diathesis or taking anticoagulant drugs (nasal intubation contra-indicated because of risk of haemorrhage)

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified