Pentax Airway Scope (AWS) Intubation

A Randomized Comparison Between the Pentax AWS Video Laryngoscope and the Macintosh Laryngoscope

This study will compare the Macintosh laryngoscope with the Pentax. The Pentax AWS is a novel airway management device that is designed to facilitate laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.

100 obese patients (BMI 30 to 50) requiring orotracheal intubation for elective surgery will be randomly allocated to intubation with either a conventional Macintosh laryngoscope or with the Pentax AWS. Our study hypothesis is that use of Pentax AWS will make tracheal intubation easier to perform in the obese surgical patient (BMI 30 to 50), as evidenced by the time to complete the intubation process as well as an "Ease of Use" visual analog score (VAS) measure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• subject is at least 18 years old
• BMI between 30 and 50
• scheduled for elective surgery requiring orotracheal intubation

Exclusion Criteria:

• a known difficult airway
• loose teeth
• subject pregnancy
• rapid sequence induction required
• subject is unable to give consent
• anesthesiologist considered use of the Pentax AWS to be contraindicated
• special endotracheal tube (ETT) is needed for the case.