BACKGROUND: The hemodynamic changes associated with orotracheal intubation may result from direct laryngoscopy and the endotracheal intubation. This study evaluated and compared the cardiovascular changes after either Bonfils intubation fibrescope or conventional laryngoscopic endotracheal intubation.

METHODS: Sixty patients, aged 20 to 30 years, were randomly allocated into two groups, the Bonfils intubation fibrescope group (BF group, n = 30) and conventional intubation using a rigid laryngoscope (LS group, n = 30). Bonfils intubation fibrescope or laryngoscopic oral endotracheal intubation was performed after inducing anesthesia. The systolic and diastolic arterial pressures, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation and intubation time were recorded before and after orotracheal intubation.

RESULTS: In both groups, the systolic and diastolic arterial pressures increased significantly after endotracheal intubation. The heart rate increased significantly after the induction of anesthesia in both groups. However, the arterial blood pressure, heart rate and intubation time were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of a Bonfils intubation fibrescope does not modify the hemodynamic response associated with endotracheal intubation compared with conventional laryngoscopy.