| Cervical spine motion during flexible bronchoscopy compared with the Lo-Pro GlideScope(R) (2009) | |||||||||||||
Abstract | |||||||||||||
| Background The most appropriate device for tracheal intubation in patients with potential cervical spine injury remains controversial. We hypothesized that the Lo-Pro GlideScope® (LP-G) videolaryngoscope would not cause significantly greater cervical spine movement than fibreoptic bronchoscopy even in the non-immobilized spine. Methods Twenty-eight healthy adults requiring intubation for radiographic procedures were randomized to either the LP-G or the flexible bronchoscope (FB) devices. Continuous fluoroscopy was used to assess cervical spine movement during tracheal intubation. The point of maximum movement was compared with baseline for change in angulation between Occiput (Occ)-C1, Occ-C2, Occ-C4, Occ-C5, C1–2, C2–4, and C4–5. Measurements were made by two independent observers. The change in angulation was also measured for tongue pull and jaw thrust, manoeuvres for enlarging the pharyngeal space, before FB intubation. Results LP-G resulted in greater cervical extension compared with FB for every angle calculated, statistically significant between Occ-C1 (P | |||||||||||||
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