Airtraq

Airtraq is a fibreoptic intubation device used for indirect (video or optic assisted) tracheal intubation in difficult airway situations. It is designed to enable a view of the glottic opening without aligning the oral with the pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes as an advantage over direct endotracheal intubation and allows for intubation with minimal head manipulation and positioning.[1]

Airtraq
Airtraq large adult size 3
SpecialtyAnesthesiology, Emergency medicine
Interventiontracheal intubation
Inventor(s)Pedra A. Gandarias
ManufacturerProdol Meditec S.A., Vizcaya, Spain

Description

Airtraq was developed by Pedra A. Gandarias and produced and marketed by Prodol Meditec S.A., Vizcaya, Spain.[2] The standard Airtraq is a disposable article with an eyepiece optic, while the AirtraqAvant allows re-use of the optical system as well as external video monitoring and recording. The Airtraq blade is anatomically formed, with a battery-powered light source at the tip of the blade. The battery power reserve is sufficient to power the bulb for 90 minutes, according to the product information. The light bulb is designed to reach an operating temperature of 40 °C in order to suppress fogging of the optical system. The visual image is transmitted from a lens at the distal tip of the blade to the optical eyepiece (or monitor) via a series of prisms and mirrors. Apart from the integrated optical system, the handle and blade of the Airtraq laryngoscope also contain a channel for the placement and insertion of the endotracheal tube.

The Airtraq laryngoscope is available in four sizes ranging from Infant (size 0) to large Adult (size 3). The large adult size requires a minimal mouth opening of 18 mm. Any type of endotracheal tube can be used with the Airtraq. Endotracheal tubes of inner diameter (ID) sizes 7.0 mm to 8.5 mm can be used with the large adult size.

Use and efficacy

The light source of the Airtraq is turned on at least 30 seconds before use to allow the anti-fogging device and lightsource to reach optimal operation temperature. Unlike in direct laryngoscopy, where the laryngoscope blade is inserted into the mouth laterally, the Airtraq is inserted into the mouth in the mid line and passed over the center of the tongue. While some sources state that the use of the Airtaq is easy and can be adequately and quickly learned by novice personnel,[3][4] other sources caution that the clinical learning process of the Airtraq laryngoscope is much longer than reported in the literature.[5] The Airtraq has been found to be advantageous over conventional direct laryngoscopy in situations were the cervical spine has been immobilized by a spine board or cervical collar,[6] with movement of the cervical spine being reduced by between 44%[7] and 66%[8] while using the Airtraq.

See also

Notes
  1. D. Gravenstein, S. Lampotang, AIRTRAQ Laryngoscope,University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology, 2 July 2011, retrieved 2 July 2013
  2. Noppens, R.R.; Werner, C.; Piepho, T. (2 February 2010). "Indirekte Laryngoskopie [Indirect laryngoscopy : Alternatives to securing the airway] (German)". Der Anaesthesist. 59 (2): 149–161. doi:10.1007/s00101-009-1656-3. PMID 20127060.
  3. Maharaj, C. H.; Costello, J. F.; Higgins, B. D.; Harte, B. H.; Laffey, J. G. (1 July 2006). "Learning and performance of tracheal intubation by novice personnel: a comparison of the AirtraqR and Macintosh laryngoscope". Anaesthesia. 61 (7): 671–677. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2044.2006.04653.x. PMID 16792613.
  4. Woollard, M.; Lighton, D.; Mannion, W.; Watt, J.; McCrea, C.; Johns, I.; Hamilton, L.; O'Meara, P.; Cotton, C.; Smyth, M. (7 December 2007). "Airtraq vs standard laryngoscopy by student paramedics and experienced prehospital laryngoscopists managing a model of difficult intubation*". Anaesthesia. 63 (1): 26–31. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2044.2007.05263.x. PMID 18086067.
  5. Trimmel, Helmut; Kreutziger, Janett; Fertsak, Georg; Fitzka, Robert; Dittrich, Markus; Voelckel, Wolfgang G. (1 March 2011). "Use of the Airtraq laryngoscope for emergency intubation in the prehospital setting: A randomized control trial*". Critical Care Medicine. 39 (3): 489–493. doi:10.1097/CCM.0b013e318206b69b. PMID 21169822. S2CID 45382502.
  6. Maharaj, Chrisen H.; Buckley, Elma; Harte, Brian H.; Laffey, John G. (1 July 2007). "Endotracheal Intubation in Patients with Cervical Spine Immobilization". Anesthesiology. 107 (1): 53–59. doi:10.1097/01.anes.0000267529.71756.f0. PMID 17585215. S2CID 19815839.
  7. Hirabayashi, Y; Fujita, A; Seo, N; Sugimoto, H (June 2008). "A comparison of cervical spine movement during laryngoscopy using the Airtraq or Macintosh laryngoscopes". Anaesthesia. 63 (6): 635–640. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2044.2008.05480.x. PMID 18477276. S2CID 19465527.
  8. Turkstra, Timothy P.; Pelz, David M.; Jones, Philip M. (1 July 2009). "Cervical Spine Motion". Anesthesiology. 111 (1): 97–101. doi:10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181a8649f. PMID 19512871.
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