“The AIRTRAQ laryngoscope functioned well in the prehospital environment for this high-acuity and challenging patient.”  Emergency Use of the Airtraq laryngoscope in traumatic asphyxia: case report.  Black, Emerg Med J, 2007; 24:509–510.

Forty patients: “The Airtraq laryngoscope offers a new approach to tracheal intubation of patients who require cervical spine immobilization. The Airtraq reduced the difficulty of tracheal intubation and the degree of hemodynamic stimulation compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope in these patients.”  Endotracheal Intubation in Patients with Cervical Spine Immobilization.  Maharaj, et al. Anesthesiology, 2007; 107:53–9.

Fourteen patients: “AOL (AIRTRAQ optical laryngoscope) -assisted tracheal intubation with standard tracheal tubes was successful at the first attempt with laryngeal views of the entire laryngeal aperture.   This procedure may further eliminate possible cross contamination with reusable airway devices."  Use of the Disposable Airtraq Optical Laryngoscope for Orotracheal Intubation in Patients with Infectious Diseases.  Missaghi, Internet Journal of Airway Management 4, 2006-2007.

Case report: Using only topical anesthesia of the oropharynx and vocal cords, the patient’s trachea was intubated uneventfully on the first attempt using the AIRTRAQ.  This patient had a known history of difficult laryngoscopy (Cormack and Lehane, grade 3).  Airtraq® for awake tracheal intubation.  Suzuki, et al. Anaesthesia, 2007; 62:744–755.

Three case studies: “Airtraq is easy to use, requires minimal training and causes minimal dental trauma. We feel that its use should be considered as part of the management of the difficult airway including assistance with tracheostomy.” Use of the Airtraq® laryngoscope for anticipated difficult laryngoscopy.  Norman, et al. Anaesthesia, 2007; 62:533–534.

Seven patients with Cormack and Lehane, grade 4: “Repeated attempts at direct laryngoscopy with the Macintosh blade and the use of manoeuvres to aid intubation, such as the gum elastic bougie placement, were unsuccessful. In contrast, with the Airtraq® device, each patient's trachea was successfully intubated on the first attempt. This report underlines the utility of the Airtraq device in these patients.” The Airtraq® as a rescue device following failed direct laryngoscopy; a case series.  Maharaj, et al.  Anaesthesia, 2007; 62:598–601

Two cases of rapid tracheal intubation with the Airtraq after failed direct laryngoscopy in morbidly obese patients undergoing emergency cesarean delivery: “There are only two validated airway devices allowing visualization of the glottis without alignment of oral and pharyngeal axes: LMA C Trach and the AL (Airtraq Laryngoscope)."  With the LMA C Trach, "the mean time to securing the airway was almost 3 min. AL in association with rapid sequence induction resulted in a shorter delay (<1 min in most cases). We are now considering placing the AL as a primary airway management device in the case of emergency cesarean delivery in women showing predictive difficult airway factors at labor or operating room clinical evaluation.” Tracheal Intubation Using the Airtraq in Morbid Obese Patients Undergoing Emergency Cesarean Delivery.  Dhonneur, et al.  Anesthesiology 2007; 106:629–630

Mannequin study involving 20 medical students with no prior airway management experience:  “The Airtraq continued to provide better intubating conditions, resulting in greater success of intubation, with fewer optimization manoeuvres required, and reduced potential for dental trauma, particularly in the difficult laryngoscopy scenarios.”  “Novice users demonstrate greater proficiency with the Airtraq than with the Macintosh laryngoscope six months after skills acquisition.” Retention of tracheal intubation skills by novice personnel: a comparison of the Airtraq and Macintosh laryngoscopes.  Maharaj, et al. Anaesthesia, 2007; 62:272–278

Fifteen ICU patients classified as difficult airways: The AIRTRAQ improved all direct laryngoscopy (DL) views (based on Cormack and Lehane format) to a full view (grade 1), in each case allowing for a wide angle view of the previously unvisualized airway.  This included 10 patients with a DL grade 4 view.   “In this small data collection, the Airtraq performed extremely well compared to standard laryngoscopy and an optical stylet.” Laryngoscopy vs. Optical Stylet vs. Optical Laryngoscope (Airtraq) for Extubation Evaluation.  Mort, Anesthesiology 2006; 105: A823

“In all scenarios tested, the Airtraq decreased the duration of intubation attempts, reduced the number of optimization maneuvers required, and reduced the potential for dental trauma. The residents found the Airtraq easier to use in all scenarios compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope. The Airtraq may constitute a superior device for use by personnel infrequently required to perform tracheal intubation.”  Tracheal intubation by inexperienced medical residents using the Airtraq and Macintosh laryngoscopes--a manikin study. Maharaj, et al. American Journal Emergency Medicine, 2006; 24(7):769-774

In comparison to the Macintosh laryngoscope, the AIRTRAQ resulted in modest improvements in ease of use and the intubation difficulty score. Tracheal intubation with the AIRTRAQ resulted in less alterations in heart rate, which demonstrates the utility of the AIRTRAQ laryngoscope for tracheal intubation.  A comparison of tracheal intubation using the AIRTRAQ or the Macintosh laryngoscope in routine airway management: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.  Anaesthesia, 2006; 61:1093-1099.

The AIRTRAQ is a novel intubation device that allows visualization of the vocal cords without alignment of the oral, pharyngeal and tracheal axes.  In the simulated difficult laryngoscopy scenarios, the AIRTRAQ was more successful in achieving tracheal intubation, required less time to intubate successfully, caused less dental trauma, and was considered by the anesthetists to be easier to use.  Evaluation of intubation using the AIRTRAQ or Macintosh laryngoscope by anesthetists in easy and simulated difficult laryngoscopy – a manikin study.  Anaesthesia, 2006; 61:469-477.