The Pentax-AWS is a newly developed rigid video laryngoscope. In comparison to the Macintosh laryngoscope, it offers a significantly improved laryngeal view and facilitates endotracheal intubation. The present study was performed to compare the general efficiency and the cardiovascular responses generated by Macintosh and Pentax-AWS systems during endotracheal intubation.

This study included 120 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class 1 or 2 requiring tracheal intubation for elective surgery. All patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Pentax-AWS (group P) and Macintosh (group M). Induction of anesthesia was performed using fentanyl, thiopental and succinylcholine intravenously. Systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, MBP, DBP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded just prior to induction, 1, 3, and 5 minutes after intubation.

There were no significant differences in SBP, MBP, DBP and HR between both groups. However, group P showed a higher POGO (Percentage of Glottic Opening) score than group M during endotracheal intubation.

Use of Pentax-AWS in endotracheal intubation did not increase hemodynamic changes compared to the use of Macintosh laryngoscope. Furthermore, Pentax-AWS offered an improved laryngeal view during endotracheal intubation.