Comparison of D-Stylet and rigid stylet using videolaryngoscope in difficult intubation

The use of stylet with an endotracheal tube (ETT) in anticipated difficult airway patients using videolaryngoscope(VL) has decreased the incidence of failed intubations. Commonly used Portex® rigid stylet forms a fixed shape and curvature of ETT, which at times does not match with the angle and curvature of the D-blade C-MAC videolaryngoscope. This necessitates the withdrawal of ETT-stylet assembly for reshaping. On the other hand, the D-stylet has an easily controllable flexible tip, which can be used as a dynamic aid to tailor the ETT shape and its tip can be altered as required by the intubating personnel according to the angle of the D-Blade. A prospective, interventional, single-blinded study will be conducted on a total of 232 patients having anticipated difficult airway undergoing elective tracheal intubation with a D-blade videolaryngoscope. The patients will be divided into the following two groups- In group D intubation will be done on 116 patients using D-Stylet while Portex® rigid stylet will be used in Group P on the other 116 patients. Aim of our study is the Comparison of D-stylet with rigid stylet as a dynamic aid to facilitate intubation in anticipated difficult airway using a D-blade videolaryngoscope. The primary outcome of our study is difference in ETT negotiation time between both groups and the secondary outcome is difference in total intubation time, number of attempts for successful intubation, hemodynamic changes, and any airway trauma between both the groups.