The effectiveness of the Bonfils intubation fibrescope for endotracheal intubation

Lee, Deok Hee; Do, Hyun Seok

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Bonfils intubation fibrescope for endotracheal intubation.
METHODS
78 patients aged 21 to 85 years underwent direct laryngoscopy and the laryngoscopic view was then graded according to the Cormack & Lehane classification. The patients were subsequently intubated with a Bonfils intubation fibrescope and the success rate for tracheal intubation, time to intubation, number of attempts and adverse effects were recorded. In addition, the thyromental distance was recorded following the orotracheal intubation.
RESULTS
The success rate for tracheal intubation was > 95% in patients graded 1 to 3 and 63.5% in patients with a grade of 4. The time to intubation was significantly faster in patients graded 1 to 3 than in those with a grade of 4 (175.2 +/- 137.1) (P < 0.01). Third attempts were required more often in patients with a higher grade. The number of patients with a SpO2 < 90% was below 5% in patients with a grade of 1 to 3 and 58.8% in patients with a grade of 4.
CONCLUSIONS
The Bonfils intubation fibrescope is an effective instrument for endotracheal intubation in patients with a grade of 1 to 3, however, tracheal intubation using the Bonfils intubation fibrescope was unsuccessful in some patients with a grade of 4. Therefore, other effective instruments should be considered for use in cases of failed direct laryngoscopy or in patients for which a difficult airway is predicted.