To compare the use of Indirect (Airtraq) laryngoscope versus the direct (Macintosh) laryngoscope blade for routine airway management.

Background & Method: The aim of the study is to compare the use of Indirect (Airtraq) laryngoscope versus the direct (Macintosh) laryngoscope blade for routine airway management. Direct laryngoscopy is carried out (usually) with the patient lying on his or her back; the laryngoscope is inserted into the mouth on the right side and flipped to the left to trap and move the tongue out of the line of sight, and, depending on the type of blade used, inserted either anterior or posterior to the epiglottis and then lifted with an upwards and forward motion. This move makes a view of the glottis possible. Result: Independent T-test was applied. P value shows no statistically significant difference among two Groups (P value 0.418). In Group A, Mean Thyromental distance was 7.07±0.44, while In Group M Mean Thyromental distance was 6.99±0.42. The two Groups were comparable in relation to Mean Thyromental distance as were evident from the above table showing no significant difference giving a P value 0.418. Conclusion: The group A patients showed insignificant increase in heart rate as compared to significant increase in group M patients in response to respective mode of laryngoscopy. No significant increase in mean blood pressure was found in both the groups A and M. Both the groups showed no statistically significant difference in postoperative complications. Therefore considering above mentioned findings, it can be concluded that indirect laryngoscope (Airtraq) is a superior device than the conventional direct laryngoscope (Macintosh). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]