PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Sheta, Saad A.
AU  - Abdelhalim, Ashraf A.
AU  - ElZoughari, Ismail A.
AU  - AlZahrani, Tariq A.
AU  - Al-Saeed, Abdulhamid H.
TI  - Parker Flex-It stylet is as effective as GlideRite Rigid stylet for orotracheal intubation by Glidescope
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2015.12.12432
DP  - 2015 Dec 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1446--1452
VI  - 36
IP  - 12
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/12/1446.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/12/1446.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2015 Dec 01; 36
AB  - Objectives: To evaluate Parker Flex-It stylet as an alternative to GlideRite Rigid stylet to aid tracheal intubation with the Glidescope.Methods: This prospective randomized trial was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between May and December 2014. Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 equal groups receiving intubation by Glidescope using either GlideRite Rigid stylet (Group GS) or Parker Flex-It stylet (Group PS). The total intubation time, ease of intubation, incidences of successful intubation at first attempt, number of intubation attempts, use of optimization maneuvers, and possible complications were recorded.Results: No significant differences between both groups regarding the total intubation time (p=0.08) was observed. Intubation was significantly easier in group PS compared with group GS as measured by visual analogue scale (p=0.001) with no significant differences between the groups regarding the rate of successful tracheal intubation from first attempt (p=0.524). However, the number of attempts at intubation and usage of external laryngeal manipulation were similar in both groups (p&amp;gt;0.05). The incidence of sore throat, dysphagia, hoarseness, and trauma were significantly higher in group GS (p&amp;lt;0.05).Conclusion: Parker Flex-It stylet is as effective as GlideRite Rigid stylet when used by experienced operators in patients with normal airways using Glidescope; however, it is easier and less traumatic.