Abstract
The present study was performed to elucidate the usefulness of TRACHLIGHTTM as a light-guided nasotracheal intubating device in clinical settings where the use of muscle relaxants are contraindicated. Twenty-five out of 28 cases were intubated with the device, of which 15 cases were in the first trial. Complications during the procedure included migration of the tube tip to either the vallecula, the esophagus or the unilateral laryngeal wall due to contralaterally swollen tonsils. In one case (a 9-year-old boy), the tube migrated to the right main bronchus. Three out of 5 devices used in the study were accidentally broken in a similar manner. Nasotracheal intubation with TRACHLIGHTTM seems useful in emergency settings such as waking intubation, but the device needs further structural improvement.
