A randomised controlled trial comparing the McGrath® videolaryngoscope with the straight blade laryngoscope when used in adult patients with potential difficult airways

Summary Studies show that both straight blade laryngoscopy and videolaryngoscopy can improve the view of the larynx when compared with the Macintosh blade laryngoscopy. However, no study has compared these two devices. A total of 80 patients with Mallampati grade ≥ 3 were randomly assigned to either have orotracheal intubation with the McGrath® videolaryngoscope or the Henderson straight blade. The primary outcome was laryngoscopic view. Time to intubation, number of attempts, ease of intubation and complications were also recorded. Thirty‐nine out of 40 patients had grade‐1 views in the McGrath group, compared with 29 out of 40 cases in the Henderson group (p = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences in the secondary outcomes. Two patients suffered from minor oropharyngeal injuries in the Henderson group. Apart from offering significantly more grade‐1 laryngoscopic views, the McGrath videolaryngoscope did not improve other clinical outcomes compared with the straight blade, when used in patients with poor Mallampati scores.