Abstract: Objective To compare the glottis exposure time and complications between the modified UE video laryngoscope glottis exposure method and the traditional method during tracheal intubation in emergency elderly patients. Methods A total of 128 elderly patients receiving emergency tracheal intubation in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled in this study, including 90 males and 38 females. The elderly patients were divided into modified group (group M) and traditional group (group T), with 64 cases in each group. For the patients in group M, the blade of the UE video laryngoscope was put into the patient's mouth alone, and then the video laryngoscope was clamped into the blade. In group T, the UE video laryngoscope with the installed blade was placed directly into the patient's mouth. The glottis exposure time, the degree of glottic visualization, the time to complete intubation, the number of finger-assisted exposure cases and the occlusal force level were recorded. The incidence of the complications such as bleeding of lips, gums, oral mucosa was recorded. Results There was no significant difference in the glottis exposure time between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence rate of bleeding complications of lips, gums and oral mucosa in group M was significantly lower than that in group T (P<0.01), especially when the elderly patients had occlusal force of grade Ⅰ (P=0.006). Conclusions The modified UE video laryngoscope glottis exposure method could reduce the intubation complications such as the bleeding of lips, gums and oral mucosain in the elderly patients, without increasing the glottis exposure time

Key words: UE video laryngoscope, tracheal intubation, complications, emergency, aged