RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Analysis of unsuccessful intubations in neonates using videolaryngoscopy recordings JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP fetalneonatal-2017-313628 DO 10.1136/archdischild-2017-313628 A1 Joyce E O’Shea A1 Prakash Loganathan A1 Marta Thio A1 C Omar Farouk Kamlin A1 Peter G Davis YR 2017 UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/early/2017/11/09/archdischild-2017-313628.abstract AB Objectives Neonatal intubation is a difficult skill to learn and teach. If an attempt is unsuccessful, the intubator and instructor often cannot explain why. This study aims to review videolaryngoscopy recordings of unsuccessful intubations and explain the reasons why attempts were not successful.Study design This is a descriptive study examining videolaryngoscopy recordings obtained from a randomised controlled trial that evaluated if neonatal intubation success rates of inexperienced trainees were superior if they used a videolaryngoscope compared with a laryngoscope. All recorded unsuccessful intubations were included and reviewed independently by two reviewers blinded to study group. Their assessment was correlated with the intubator’s perception as reported in a postintubation questionnaire. The Cormack-Lehane classification system was used for objective assessment of laryngeal view.Results Recordings and questionnaires from 45 unsuccessful intubations were included (15 intervention and 30 control). The most common reasons for an unsuccessful attempt were oesophageal intubation and failure to recognise the anatomy. In 36 (80%) of intubations, an intubatable view was achieved but was then either lost, not recognised or there was an apparent inability to correctly direct the endotracheal tube. Suctioning was commonly performed but rarely improved the view.Conclusions Lack of intubation success was most commonly due to failure to recognise midline anatomical structures. Trainees need to be taught to recognise the uvula and epiglottis and use these landmarks to guide intubation. Excessive secretions are rarely a factor in elective and premedicated intubations, and routine suctioning should be discouraged. Better blade design may make it easier to direct the tube through the vocal cords.