Tongue traction is as effective as jaw lift maneuver for Trachlight-guided orotracheal intubation

Objective: The jaw lift maneuver has been traditionally used to facilitate Trachlight-guided orotracheal intubation. The aim of this study was to compare the jaw lift maneuver with another potentially useful maneuver, tongue traction, for facilitating Trachlight-guided orotracheal intubation. Methods: This study was prospective and randomized in design. A single experienced investigator performed Trachlight-guided orotracheal intubations in 100 adult patients with clinically normal airways undergoing elective surgeries under general anesthesia with paralysis. Patients were divided into two groups: Group J (jaw lift); and Group T (tongue traction using a padded artery forceps). Three parameters were recorded: search time (device insertion to midline glow); time to intubate (device insertion to glow at suprasternal notch); and time to confirm (device insertion to confirmation of placement by capnography). Results: All patients were intubated successfully using the Trachlight. Only one patient in Group J required more than two attempts for successful intubation. First and second attempt success rates were, respectively, 86 and 98 in Group J, and 92 and 100 in Group T. Mean search time, time to intubate and time to confirm were comparable: 6.36 ± 4.20 seconds, 11.23 ± 6.69 seconds and 21.59 ± 7.69 seconds, respectively, in Group J, and 6.81 ± 4.53 seconds, 10.79 ± 6.02 seconds and 22.80 ± 7.85 seconds, respectively, in Group T. Conclusion: The tongue traction maneuver is as good as the jaw lift maneuver with regard to the success rate and time taken for Trachlight-guided orotracheal intubation.