Randomized controlled trial of Shikani optical stylet’s one-person technique in nasotracheal intubation for children undergoing dental treatment

By comparing the application of the Shikani optical stylet (SOS) technique with that of UEscope, the effectiveness and safety of the one-person SOS technique for pediatric nasotracheal intubation (NTI) undergoing dental treatment were evaluated. In total, 60 children scheduled for elective dental treatments were randomly categorized into two groups for intubation under controlled ventilation without the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs (NMBD): SOS (n = 30) and UEscope (n = 30). The main endpoint was total intubation time, besides secondary outcomes included frequency and duration of additional assistance, and total dosage of propofol titrated for induction. The total intubation time was significantly shorter in the SOS group at 60.6 s (Q1-Q3, 56.0-65.0) compared to 76.1 s (67.0-87.0) in the UEscope group (P < 0.001). Additionally, the SOS group did not require additional assistance to expose the glottis, whereas the UEscope group required additional assistance in 15 cases (median duration of 5.8 s). The total dosage of propofol titrated for induction was 1.3 ± 0.4 mg/kg in the SOS group, whereas it was 1.6 ± 0.6 mg/kg in the UEscope group (P = 0.034). Compared to UEscope, the one-person technique of SOS requires significantly less intubation time, additional assistance, and total dosage of propofol titrated for induction for pediatric NTI undergoing dental treatment in dental clinics.Clinical trial registration. ChiCTR2400079441, 3/01/2024.