Comparison of Haemodynamic Responses Between Oxiport and Conventional Laryngoscopes During Paediatric Intubation Under General Anaesthesia: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction: Paediatric airway management presents unique challenges due to higher oxygen consumption and lower functional residual capacity, predisposing children to rapid desaturation during intubation. The Oxiport laryngoscope provides continuous oxygen insufflation during laryngoscopy, potentially improving oxygenation and haemodynamic stability. Aim: To compare haemodynamic responses and oxygenation parameters during intubation between Oxiport laryngoscope and the conventional laryngoscope in paediatric patients up to 3 years undergoing general anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: This single-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Dhiraj General Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, from December 2022 to January 2025. Sixty American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status grade I-II paediatric patients aged 6 months to 3 years were randomly allocated into two groups (n=30 each): Group O (Oxiport laryngoscope) and Group C (Conventional laryngoscope). Primary outcomes included the lowest Oxygen Saturation (SpO2 ) attained, time for 1% desaturation, rate of desaturation, and haemodynamic parameters. Secondary outcomes included the number of intubation attempts, duration of laryngoscopy and intubation, and the incidence of severe desaturation (SpO2 <90%). Statistical analysis was performed using an Unpaired t-test and Chi-square test, with a p-value <0.05 considered significant. Results: Both groups were comparable in demographic characteristics (age: 19.63±8.27 vs 19.53±8.92 months, p-value=0.963; weight: 11.33±1.97 vs 11.30±2.04 kg, p-value=0.957). The Oxiport group demonstrated significantly higher lowest SpO2 (97.37±0.72% vs 91.87±1.14%, p-value <0.0001), longer time to 1% desaturation (17.90±1.11 vs 10.19±0.85 seconds, p-value <0.0001), and slower desaturation rate (0.0822±0.0105 vs 0.3445±0.0358%/sec, p-value <0.0001). Heart rate was significantly lower in the Oxiport group at 3 minutes (121.53±8.40 vs 126.33±8.98 bpm, p-value=0.033). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the Oxiport group from 1 minute onwards (p-value <0.0001). No severe desaturation (SpO2 <90%) occurred in the Oxiport group versus 20% in the conventional group (p-value=0.0097). Conclusion: The Oxiport laryngoscope provides superior oxygenation and a more stable haemodynamic profile compared to conventional laryngoscopes during paediatric intubation, potentially improving safety in this vulnerable population.