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Comparing videolaryngoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy to rescue failed direct laryngoscopy in children: a propensity score matched analysis of the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry

Flexible bronchoscopy is the gold standard for difficult airway management. Clinicians are using videolaryngoscopy increasingly because it is perceived to be easier to use with high success rates. We conducted this study to compare the success rates of the two techniques when used after failed direct laryngoscopy in children with difficult tracheal intubations.

Citation:
Stein ML, Nagle JH, Templeton T, Staffa SJ, …….. von Ungern-Sternberg BS, Olomu PN, ……. Sommerfield D, Hauser N, Hesselink E, et al for the PeDI Collaborative. Comparing videolaryngoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy to rescue failed direct laryngoscopy in children: a propensity score matched analysis of the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry. Anaesthesia. 2025. 

Keywords:
Difficult airway; flexible bronchoscopy; paediatric anaesthesia; tracheal intubation; videolaryngoscopy

Abstract:
Flexible bronchoscopy is the gold standard for difficult airway management. Clinicians are using videolaryngoscopy increasingly because it is perceived to be easier to use with high success rates. We conducted this study to compare the success rates of the two techniques when used after failed direct laryngoscopy in children with difficult tracheal intubations.