New Milford Docs See ‘Dramatic’ Results With GlideScope

NEW MILFORD — Thanks to surgical spine specialist Cameron Brown, MD, and anesthesiologist J. Patricio Escandon, MD, a 47-year-old man left New Milford Hospital several hours after neck surgery on May 5 that potentially would have required a longer hospitalization. The difference, while not apparent to the patient, came from the use of a GlideScope, an innovative tool that streamlines anesthesia care — facilitating rapid intubations (insertion of a breathing tube into the windpipe) in patients with difficult airways.

“The GlideScope is nothing short of dramatic,” said Dr Brown, who performed the revision surgery to correct a condition that arose after the patient’s prior surgery performed several years ago. “With quick intubation, the 22-minute surgery was a breeze. It was much easier, and the patient was talking in recovery. He will likely be able to eat and enjoy his dinner at home this evening.”

Department of Anesthesiology Chairman Edward Zane, MD, said some patients have features that make intubation difficult, either because of their natural anatomy or abnormal pathology (or disease).

“Examples of abnormal pathology include airway obstruction due to a tumor or limited neck motion because of previous surgery,” Dr Zane said. “The GlideScope allows visualization of the vocal cords in these patients. The patient can be put to sleep and the breathing tube placed quickly into the windpipe safely and without traumatizing the airway.”

According to Dr Zane, without this device, intubating the airway would necessitate the use of other advanced airway techniques with the potential for extensive manipulation of the airway, which could lead to airway trauma and patient discomfort. One such technique is “awake fiberoptic intubation,” in which the patient is sedated and a fiberoptic scope is passed through the nose or mouth to navigate through the vocal cords.

“It takes more time to place a breathing tube when the patient is partially awake. It can also be uncomfortable for the patient and may cause trauma and swelling of the airway. With the GlideScope, the patient is asleep and we place the breathing tube in a matter of seconds,” Dr Zane added.

According to Dr Escandon, who previously specialized in anesthesia for ear, nose, and throat patients at Yale-New Haven Hospital, the GlideScope is a video laryngoscope, which is an instrument used for visualizing an individual’s airway before surgery. Dr Escandon explained that the GlideScope provides a clear, real-time view of the patient’s airway, enabling quick intubation in the operating room.

“Patients who are intubated often experience initial hoarseness, a sore throat and/or discomfort when swallowing after surgery. The GlideScope facilitates a smooth process for securing the airway that is safer and easier to perform, minimizing these complications,” he said.

“Many patients have concerns about anesthesia — from overall safety to pain control. The GlideScope is the newest advance in anesthesia care that New Milford Hospital has acquired to help minimize risk for surgical patients,” Dr Escandon added.

The GlideScope is manufactured by Verathon, formerly Diagnostic Ultrasound Corporation, of Bothell, Wash., a medical device and services company that specializes in innovations for urology, primary care, emergency care, surgery, critical care, and anesthesiology.

For more information, visit www.newmilfordhospital.org.