Is fiberoptic bronchoscopic imaging required for success with blind intubation via LMA-Fastrach? [LMA-Fasttrach Ile Kör Entübasyonda Fiberoptik Bronkoskopik Görüntüleme Entübasyon Başarisi Için Gerekli mi?]

Introduction: lma-fastrach™ (lma-ft) is a designed for use in both anticipated and unexpected difficult intubations,and for failed intubations with other techniques. in this study fiberoptic bronchoscope (fob) imaging through lma-ft scored and blind intubation via lma-ft was performed. correlation between scores and success of blind intubation was investigated. patients and methods: one hundred asa 1-3 patients aged between 18-80 years,who required endotracheal intubation were scheduled for elective surgery. mallampati scoring,thyromental and sternomental distance,upper lip bite test were recorded. after standard monitoring and intravenous induction including neuromusculer blocker direct laryngoscopy was performed for cormack-lehane score evaluation. lma-ft was inserted and view of vocal cords was evaluated by an experienced anesthetist via fob and scored by using brimacombe classification. after fob scoring,blind intubation through lma-ft with endotracheal tube was applied to all patients,and lma-ft was removed after intubation. fob scores,times for successful placement of the lma-ft and tracheal intubation,number of attempts needed for successful ventilation and tracheal intubation,and complications associated with the procedure were recorded. results: blind tracheal intubation through lma-ft was successful in 81% of the cases at the first attempt and 12% at the second attempt. the tracheal intubation of 7% of the patients failed after the two attempts. there was a significant correlation between succesful intubation and brimacombe scores (p=0.001). there was no significant difference between intubation success and other difficult intubation criteria. conclusion: success rate of blind intubation through lma-ft was founded relatively high. it has been concluded that difficult intubation via lma-ft can be predicted by initially doing a fiberoptic bronchoscopic evaluation.