Comparison of two sizes of GlideScope® blades in tracheal intubation of infants: a randomised clinicaltrial

The appropriate size of GlideScope® blade for tracheal intubation in neonates and premature infants has not been established. We evaluated the impact of the size of the GlideScope® blade on the time taken for intubation in infants weighing 2.5–3.6 kg. Sixty infants weighing 2.5–3.6 kg were randomly assigned to use of the size 1 blade (n=30) or the size 2 blade (n=30). The primary outcome was the time taken to intubate. Components related to the laryngoscopic view which could affect the duration of the intubating process were also analysed. The time required for tracheal intubation was shorter with the size 2 blade than with the size 1 blade (16 [14–20] s vs 22 [18–25] s, P=0.002; median difference=–5; 95% confidence interval, –7 to –2). The rate at which the tip of the tracheal tube was located at the centre of the laryngeal inlet was higher with the size 2 blade than with the size 1 blade (83% vs 40%, P