Video Stylet vs. Flexible Bronchoscopy for C-Spine

Comparison of Video Stylet to Flexible Bronchoscopy for Intubation of Patients With Potential Cervical Spine Injury

Comparison of cervical spine movement during intubation with the C-MAC Video Stylet to Flexible Bronchoscopy

Elective surgical patients who require intubation will be randomised to one of 2 groups:

1. C-MAC Video Stylet
2. Flexible Bronchoscopy During intubation, fluoroscopy will be recorded for later analysis to determine the amount of cervical spine movement during the intubation process.

The intubation will also be timed to determine the duration of the intubation process.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elective Surgery requiring oral intubation
• undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery
• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1-3
• age 18-80 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• gastro-esophageal reflux disease
• body mass index > 35 kg/m2
• possibility of pregnancy
• previous neck surgery
• unstable C-spine
• known or predicted difficult airway.