Evaluation of a low-cost videolaryngoscope – a randomized controlled pilot study

Abstract

Dear Sir,

With regard to your article “Evaluation of a low-cost videolaryngoscope – a randomized controlled pilot study”¹ Please note that the initial work on inexpensive videolaryngoscopy technique using an USB endoscope camera was demonstrated publicly in India as early as in 2012 and published online as a case report.² Hence the statement in the article of it being reported only later in 2016 is not true.

There have been several authors who have published similar reports after 2012, regrettably claiming it as a new technique. A blog, published later on, after the first case report in 2013, describes the development of this technique.³

Regards,
John George Karippacheril.
E-mail: johngeorgedon@gmail.com

 References:

1. Vadhanan P, Balakrishnan K, TripatyDK. Evaluation of a low-cost videolaryngoscope – a randomized controlled pilot study. Anaesth Pain & Intensive Care 2017;21(4):406-412 [Free full text]
2. Karippacheril JG, Umesh G, Nanda S. Assessment and confirmation of tracheal intubation when capnography fails: a novel use for an USB camera. J Clin Monit Comput. 2013 Oct;27(5):531-3. doi: 10.1007/s10877-013-9458-1 [PubMed]
3. Ketamine. Evolution of inexpensive videolaryngoscopy: from concept to practice. August 20, 2015. Available online at https://prehospitalmed.com/2015/08/20/evolution-of-inexpensive-videolaryngoscopy-from-concept-to-practice/

Evaluation of a low-cost videolaryngoscope – a randomized controlled pilot study Author’s reply:

Sir

The low cost video laryngoscope has been around for several years and even a Mumbai Based manufacturer has been producing this device attached to a curved blade. We have modified the scope in two ways – by using a Miller’s Blade, and secondly by keeping the original bulb of the Millers blade also functioning to provide adequate illumination, as the USB borescopes have low powered LED bulbs which might not be enough in the presence of secretions apart from using an android based smart phone instead of a personal computer. Even though various claims for this device do exist, including Dr Wickrama Wickramasinghe – a Sri Lanka based anesthetist receiving the WFSA innovation award for the same in 2015.¹ we would like to exert that we make no claims as being the inventor or the first person to report such a use for borescopes. We have just done a randomized controlled trial upon a Millers blade based low cost video laryngoscope which to the best of our knowledge is the first. This fact is highlighted in the end of the original youtube video posted by the author.² However, omission of acknowledgement of the previously done commendable trial by Karippacheril et al  in 2013 using a Macintosh blade is regretted.

We thank Karippacheril et al. for the clarification and congratulate them for their efforts.

Sincerely
Prasanna Vadhanan
vadhanan.prasanna@gmail.com