Comparison of Intubating Condition of the McGrath® Video Laryngoscope With and Without Muscle Relaxant

Muscle Relaxation in VIDEO Laryngoscopic Intubation

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the intubating conditions using the McGrath® Series 5 Portable Video Laryngoscope (VL) with and without a muscle relaxant.
Material and Methods: This randomized, prospective study was performed in 34 patients with ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologist) I-II who required oroendotracheal tube intubation. The patients were divided into two groups as
the rocuronium group and the placebo (saline) group. McGrath® VL intubation was initiated after 90 seconds when the
patient was fully relaxed. The primary outcome was the conditions of tracheal intubation between the two groups. The
secondary outcome were the success rate of the first intubation attempt, time to intubation, required propofol dosage
for intubation, and the anesthetic events during the intraoperative and recovery room periods were evaluated.
Results: Compared to the placebo group, the intubating conditions in the rocuronium group were more acceptable
(excellent or good conditions) (88.2 vs. 41.2%; p-value=0.007). There were no significant differences in the success
rates of first attempt intubations (16(94.1), 13(76.5); p-value=0.4). In comparison to the rocuronium group, the placebo
group required more propofol (218 mg vs. 186 mg; p-value=0.023). The rates of intraoperative and recovery room
events were similar.
Conclusion: Overall the intubating conditions when using the McGrath® VL Series 5 Portable Video Laryngoscope using
muscle relaxants were more acceptable than when not using muscle relaxants, but there were no significant differences
in the number of attempts, time to intubation, and anesthetic events between the study groups.