Airtraq in difficult/ failed intubation

Background: Airtraq has been described for the management of difficult airway. It is not clear from the literature about the utility of Airtraq in situations of failed intubation as a rescue device. This study was conducted to evaluate the utility of Airtraq as a rescue device during difficult/ failed intubation. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted by analysing the anaesthetic data of patients who had failed/difficult intubation to evaluate the utility of Airtraq in such situations. Patient characteristics, predictors of difficult airway, glottic view with Macintosh laryngoscope and Airtraq, number of intubation attempts and use of intubation aides were analysed. Results: During the study period of one year fourteen patients had difficult/failed intubation with Macintosh laryngoscope and Airtraq was used as an alternative rescue airway device in these patients. Intubation was successful in all the patients. Cormack and Lehane grade of the glottis view improved by 1 to 3 grades with Airtraq. Restricted neck extension and modified Mallampati class 3 or 4 were the difficult airway predictors observed in these patients where Airtraq was found to be useful. Conclusions: Airtraq has a definite role as a rescue airway device when intubation fails with or is difficult with Macintosh laryngoscope.