Abstract

Aim: To compared the oxiport laryngoscope blade versus miller laryngoscope blade for
intubation in neonates and infants during general anesthesia.
Methods: This controlled interventional single-blind study conducted in the,
Department of Anesthesiology. 60 neonates/infants in groups of 30 each posted for
surgery in paediatric operation theatre over a period of 6 months were included in the
study. Full-term neonates and infants up to 6 months of age of either sex requiring
general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation for elective as well as emergency
surgery were included in the study.
Results: Out of the 60 patients 30 patients in Miller group and 30 patients in Oxiport
group were included. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, weight,
mean time to intubation (P = 0.61) and anaesthesiologist performing the laryngoscopy
(P = 0.69).Mean lowest SpO2 recorded was 97.21% ± 3.69% in Miller group and 99.77%
± 2.63% in Oxiport group. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.039). The
incidence of mild desaturation (SpO2 up to 90%) was 86.67% in Miller group and
93.33% in Oxiport group. The incidence of moderate desaturation (SpO2 between 85%
and 92.5%) was 3.33% in Miller group and 5% in Oxiport group. Incidence of severe
desaturation (SpO2<85%) was 16.67% in Miller group and 0 in Oxiport group.
Correlation between time to intubation and SpO2 in Miller group (Pearson’s R2 =
−0.14) was statistically not significant at P = 0.39. Correlation between time to
intubation and SpO2 in Oxiport group (Pearson’s R2 = −0.38) was statistically
significant at P = 0.001. Both groups were comparable with respect to the type of
surgery (abdominal, thoracic, miscellaneous) (P = 0.68). Abdominal surgeries were
associated with a higher number of severe desaturations (80%) compared to thoracic
(10%) and miscellaneous (10%) surgeries.
Conclusion: we concluded that the apnoeic laryngeal oxygen insufflation with Oxiport
laryngoscope blade decreased the incidence of severe desaturation while intubating
neonates and infants. This was easily done as it was non-cumbersome and did not
increase the overall cost of anaesthesia.