Endotracheal Intubation Comparing a Prototype Storz CMAC and a GlideScope Videolaryngoscope in a Medical Transport Helicopter – A Pilot Study

In this pilot study, experienced medical helicopter personnel evaluated and compared the prototype Storz CMAC and GlideScope (GS) videolaryngoscopes in intubating a Laerdal Difficult Airway Manikin in a helicopter. No significant differences were found between the devices in the standard airway mode with 100% success rates for the intubations. In the difficult airway mode, there was a significant difference (p = 0.03) between the Cormack Lehane scores observed with Direct View (DV) (3.75 ± 0.46 – average ± standard deviation) compared to the view with the prototype CMAC (2.25 ± 0.71). The view was 3.00 ± 0.76 with GS In the difficult airway, there were significantly more participants who obtained a Grade 1 or 2 view when using the CMAC compared to when using the Mac 3 blade (DV) (p = 0.025; Fisher Exact Probability Test). The success rate for intubating the difficult airway was 0% with DV; compared to 63% with the CMAC and 50% with the GS (p = 0.03). The participants answered a post study questionnaire regarding the characteristics of the devices and indicated preference for the CMAC over the GS in intubation of the difficult airway.