Awake video laryngoscopic intubation in the obese patient
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25751/rspa.9785Keywords:
Airway Management, Bariatric Surgery, Intubation, Intratracheal, Laryngoscopy, Video-Assisted Surgery, WakefulnessAbstract
Background: Video laryngoscopy in the awake patient may be useful in the anaesthesia of morbid obese patient. The aim of our study was, therefore, to evaluate the effectiveness of video laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation in these patients.
Methods: This prospective and observational study involved 32 patients undergoing bariatric surgery. After sedation and anaesthesia of the upper airways, tracheal intubation was performed with the patient awake, spontaneously breathing and with the use of video laryngoscopy. The procedure was suspended if more than three attempts were required, severe gagging or coughing occurred or if it was impossible to view the vocal chords.
Results: The success rate was 97%. Twenty nine patients were intubated in the first attempt (91%), one on the second attempt (3%), and one on the third attempt (3%). Only one patient did not tolerate the procedure.
Conclusions: The use of video laryngoscopy with the patient awake should be considered in the airway management of obese patients.
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