A comparative evaluation of the Airtraq and King Vision video laryngoscope as an intubating aid in adult patients.

Airtraq has been shown to improve ease of intubation in patients with normal and difficult airway. King Vision video laryngoscope is a newly introduced intubating device with an attached monitor. We here hypothesized that the King Vision video laryngoscope with channeled blade performs better during intubation as compared to Airtraq. In this study, we performed a comparison between the King Vision video laryngoscope and the Airtraq with regard to time needed for intubation, number of attempts required to intubate, and complications. Fifty ASA grade I and II adult patients posted for a routine surgical procedure were randomly divided into two groups of 25 patients each. All patients were anesthetized using similar techniques. The time required to intubate patients was significantly shorter when the King Vision video laryngoscope with channeled blade was used as compared to the Airtraq (p < 0.05). The number of attempts to successfully intubate patients was also significantly lower (p < 0.05) for the King Vision video laryngoscope than for the Airtraq. The use of the Kings Vision video laryngoscope with channeled blade should be encouraged in difficult intubation situations in adult patients with a mouth opening of more than 18 mm.