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Improving styletted oral tracheal intubation: rational use of the OTSU

[L'amélioration de l'intubation oro-trachéale : l'utilisation rationnelle du SIOT]

From the Department of Anesthesia, Vancouver General Hospital, University of Britis Columbia, Vancouver British Columbia, Canada.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Russell B. Stasiuk, Department of Anesthesia, LSP 2, Room 2449, 855 W. 12^th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1M9, Canada. Phone: 604-875-4304; Fax: 604-875-5209; E-mail rstasiuk{at}vanhosp.bc.ca

Purpose: To introduce an improved method of styletted oral laryngoscopic tracheal intubation.

Description of the technique: The oral tracheal stylet unit (OTSU) is constructed using a commonly available intubating stylet combined with an ordinary endotracheal tube (ETT). The ETT/stylet is created by a series of specific steps to form an OTSU, each with a standard shape and design that allows the tracheal tube to separate freely from the stylet. After construction, every unit is tested to confirm that the frictional resistance created by the tracheal tube, as it slides along the stationary stylet, is at an absolute minimum.

Successful tracheal intubation is based on the following concepts: (a) The j-shaped OTSU, when correctly directed through the airway, passes freely from the mouth to the larynx, the laryngoscopic channel; (b) The tip of the ETT must first be placed between the vocal cords with every intubation. The tracheal tube is then launched and advanced into the trachea by sliding along and off a stationary stylette; (c) Only minimal force is required to propel the ETT during intubation; (d) Resistance to placement, launch or advancement means the tip of the OTSU has come into physical contact with the patient's airway; (e) When the epiglottis obscures the larynx, the tip of the OTSU is used to explore the hypopharynx and identify the glottis. The ability to differentiate where the ETT tip is located depends primarily on interpreting the sensations of touch and pressure transmitted from the bevel of the OTSU to the hand. Successful tracheal intubation is accomplished when all criteria for placement, launch, and advancement are met.

Conclusion: Styletted oral tracheal intubation is well known. However, we describe an improvement of the technique, based on solid physical principles and years of experience, that should prove useful both for routine intubations and unexpected difficult airways.

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