Comparison of the efficiency of single-use plastic and reusable metal laryngoscope blades in orotracheal intubation during rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia

Laryngoscopes are one of the potential mediators of infection transmission due to their blades contact with oral mucous membranes. Using single-use plastic blades is a method of preventing infection transmission. The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of single-use plastic and reusable metal laryngoscope blades in orotracheal intubation during the rapid- sequence induction of anesthesia

In this clinical-trial, 310 patients, more than 10 years of age, who were candidates for elective surgery, were selected. After anesthesia induction, orotracheal intubation was done by either single-use plastic or reusable metal blades for patients. Duration of intubation and arterial oxygen saturation were recorded before and after intubation. Data analysis was done using SPSS software.

Orotracheal intubation was done successfully in all patients. Mean differences of intubation time from the standard upper limit were 1.42±8.19 and 13.1±4.22 seconds in the plastic and metal blades groups, respectively. Also, the mean of difference in oxygen saturation of the low 90% after intubation were 6.07±2.71 and 7.16±1.21 in plastic and metal blades groups, respectively. Both parameters indicated statistically significant differences.

In rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia, by using single-use blades, both intubation time and arterial oxygen saturation drop will increase in comparison with metal blades. This will cause complications such as aspiration in the patients.