Ease of Intubation with the McGRATH® MAC, C-MAC® or Macintosh Laryngoscopes by Novice Operators in Simulated Difficult Airways – A Manikin Study

A variety of video laryngoscopes have been introduced to facilitate endotracheal intubations as failed intubations can result in morbidity and mortality. We aimed to compare the use of the conventional Macintosh laryngoscope, McGRATH® MAC and C- MAC® video laryngoscopes among novice operators. 37 medical students were recruited to perform oro-tracheal intubations in a human patient stimulator with simulated ‘difficult airway’ scenario using 3 devices: The Macintosh laryngoscope, McGRATH® MAC and C- MAC® video laryngoscopes.
The success rate of tracheal intubation using the C-MAC® video laryngoscope (84%) was higher than both the McGRATH® MAC (59%) and the Macintosh laryngoscope (57%) (p=0.005). The use of video laryngoscopes were associated with lower incidence of oesophageal intubation (p<0.001) and deemed easier to use (p<0.001). Overall, the C-MAC® yielded a higher rate of successful tracheal intubation, a shorter time to glottic visualisation and was deemed to provide the greatest ease of intubation with novice practitioners.