Comparative Evaluation of Direct Laryngoscopy Versus GlideScope for the Purpose of Laryngoscopy Management and Intubation in Candidates of Cesarean Delivery with General Anesthesia

The present study aimed at comparing the hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and initiation of intubation with either direct or video-assisted laryngoscopy. This double-blind clinical trial was performed on 90 pregnant women candidates for cesarean section under general anesthesia. The participants were divided into two groups. In the first group, intubation was performed using direct Macintosh laryngoscope (MCL group). The second group underwent intubation using the GlideScope video laryngoscope (GSL group). Then, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), the percentage of the saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2), the time-to-intubation (TTI), and the number of intubation attempts were recorded. SBP, DBP, and MAP in the MCL group were significantly higher than GSL group 1, 3, and 5 min after laryngoscopy ( < 0.05). HR in the MCL group with the mean of 118.44 ± 15.53 bpm was significantly higher than that the GSL group with the mean of 110.11 ± 16.68 bpm only 3 min after laryngoscopy ( = 0.016). The TTI in the MCL group was significantly longer than that of the GSL group (12.80 ± 1.86 vs. 10.15 ± 2.61; = 0.001). The frequency of the first intubation attempt in the GSL group with 91.1% was significantly higher than that the MCL group with 84.4% ( = 0.003). It seems that the GSL technique is a better choice to conduct laryngoscopy with more success in intubation and a higher stability of the patients' hemodynamic status.