Background and aims Endotracheal intubation is a mandatory skill for neonatal trainees. However, it is difficult to learn and junior trainees have success rates <50%. Videolaryngoscopy allows the instructor to share the same view of the pharynx as the trainee. We compared intubations guided by an instructor watching a videolaryngoscope screen with the traditional method where the instructor does not have this view.

Methods An unblinded randomised, controlled trial (ANZCTR number 12613000159752) at a tertiary neonatal centre commenced March 2013. Eligible intubations were those performed on infants in the delivery room or in the neonatal intensive care unit, by trainees with less than six months of tertiary neonatal experience. Nasal intubations, intubations in infants with facial, oral or airway abnormalities and intubations carried out by more experienced doctors were excluded. Intubations were randomised to the videolaryngoscope screen being visible or covered (control). A sample size of 206 had an 80% power to demonstrate an absolute difference of 20% in the success rate between intervention and control groups. Primary outcome was first attempt intubation success rate confirmed by colorimetric detection of expired carbon dioxide.

Results 190 intubations have been randomised since March 2013 (80% of all eligible intubations since trial commencement). Median weight at intubation of recruited infants was 1195 g (range 504–4804 g), median corrected gestation 29 weeks post menstrual age (range 24–41). Recruitment will be complete by May 2014 and data analysis by July 2014.

Conclusions To follow upon completion of the trial.