Evaluation of the success rate and quality of teaching of tracheal intubation to medical students by using video laryngoscope

Training of airway management and tracheal intubation skill in emergencies for resuscitation of patients are basic skills for medical students. However, the success rate of beginners in this skill is low. Video laryngoscopes are new devices that can increase the success of endotracheal intubation training.

This clinical trial was conducted with 30 medical students who came to learn anesthesia care at Sina Hospital in 2020. After dividing the students into two groups (n=15) of glide scope and Macintosh, the glide scope group first performed laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation with a glide scope on the manikin 10 times. Then, in the operating room they were trained for endotracheal intubation on 5 patients by glide scope. The Macintosh group first got trained for intubation on the manikin, 10 times and then on five patients in the operating room with a Macintosh laryngoscope. Then all students in the operating room intubated two patients with a Macintosh laryngoscope and their performance was assessed and scored by an anesthesiologist. They evaluated the training course with a questionnaire. The duration of laryngeal access and the time spent for tracheal intubation were compared in the two groups.

In the glide scope group, 76% of students were able to see the epiglottis and larynx in 20 seconds, but in the Macintosh group, 43% of students were able to see the larynx in 20 seconds. In terms of endotracheal intubation time, 72% of the students in the glide scope group were able to successfully perform endotracheal intubation within 40 seconds in their first attempt, but in the Macintosh group, 44% completed endotracheal intubation within 40 seconds (P=0.00). In the evaluation of the quality of skill, the average score of the students in the Macintosh group was 15.30±0.56, while the average score in the glide scope group was 17.20±0.83 (P=0.00). The scores and satisfaction of the students in the glide scope group were higher than the Macintosh.

The use of video laryngoscope in teaching of intubation in trainees will increase the speed, and accuracy of their training and satisfaction compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope.