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Video‐laryngoscopes in the adult airway management: a topical review of the literature
Author(s) -
NIFOROPOULOU P.,
PANTAZOPOULOS I.,
DEMESTIHA T.,
KOUDOUNA E.,
XANTHOS T.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2010.02285.x
Subject(s) - medicine , laryngoscopes , airway management , airway , intubation , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , laryngoscopy
The aim of the present paper is to review the literature regarding video‐laryngoscopes (Storz V‐Mac and C‐Mac, Glidescope, McGrath, Pentax‐Airway Scope, Airtraq and Bullard) and discuss their clinical role in airway management. Video‐laryngoscopes are new intubation devices, which provide an indirect view of the upper airway. In difficult airway management, they improve Cormack–Lehane grade and achieve the same or a higher intubation success rate in less time, compared with direct laryngoscopes. Despite the very good visualization of the glottis, the insertion and advancement of the endotracheal tube with video‐laryngoscopes may occasionally fail. Each particular device's features may offer advantages or disadvantages, depending on the situation the anaesthesiologist has to deal with. So far, there is inconclusive evidence indicating that video‐laryngoscopy should replace direct laryngoscopy in patients with normal or difficult airways.