Background: Increased evidence indicates that the Glidescope video laryngoscope (GVL) is useful for difficult tracheal intubations. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of the GVL in difficult tracheal intubations, comparing with that of Macintosh laryngoscopy.
Methods: The systematic search, data extraction, critical appraisal, and pooled analysis were performed according to the PRISMA statement. The relative risk (RR), mean difference (MD), and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 2.2.040 software for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively.
Results: Fifteen randomized controlled trials including 860 tracheal intubations by GVL and 860 tracheal intubations by Macintosh laryngoscopy. GVL showed higher success rate (RR 1.065, 95% CI 1.017-1.117, P < 0.008) than does the Macintosh laryngoscope, whereas no difference was found in the duration for instrumentation.
Conclusions: Our meta-analysis showed that GVL has an advantage over Macintosh laryngoscope in respect to the success rate for difficult tracheal intubations.