Abstract:
Back ground and objectives:
Orotarcheal intubation, following direct laryngoscopy is associated with
transient increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Various methods have been tried
to attenuate these responses as they may precipitate serious complications in those
with underlying cardiac diseases. In our study we aim to evaluate haemodynamic
responses to direct laryngoscopy and fibreoptic bronchoscopy.
Methods:
Seventy two patients with ASA grade 1 and 2 and Mallampati Grade 1 and 2
undergoing general anaesthesia requiring tracheal intubation from December 2014 to
June 2016 were included for this study. Patients were randomly divided into two
groups with 36 in each group either selected for direct laryngoscopy or fibreoptic
intubation.
Result:
Our study showed that there is no significant difference between fibreoptic
bronchoscopy and direct laryngoscopy in attenuating haemodynamic responses.
However, laryngscopy and orotracheal intubation in both groups caused a significant
increase in heart rate, blood pressure and mean arterial pressure. The mean duration of
time taken for intubation was much higher in fibreoptic group than in direct
laryngoscopy group.
Conclusion:
This study shows that fibreoptic intubation does not have any special role in
attenuating haemodynamic responses in comparison to direct laryngoscopy.
