RESULTS: No significant difference was found between DL and GVL regarding
average segmental spine movement at any level (P values between 0.22 and 0.70).
During both techniques, motion was mainly an extension concentrated in the
rostral C-spine and occurred predominantly during glottic visualization. The
proportion of patients with occiput-C1 extension of more than 10, 15, or 20 degrees
was not significantly different. Glottic visualization was significantly better with
GVL compared with DL.
CONCLUSION: During intubation under general anesthesia with neuromuscular
blockade and manual in-line stabilization, the use of GVL produced better glottic
visualization, but did not significantly decrease movement of the nonpathologic
C-spine when compared with DL