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How did the Macintosh laryngoscope become so popular?
Author(s) -
SCOTT JEANETTE,
BAKER PAUL A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2009.03026.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anesthetic , intubation , anesthesia , laryngoscopes , tracheal intubation
Summary The Macintosh laryngoscope has been described as ‘the most numerously and widely made durable item in the history of anesthesia’ (Sir Anthony Jephcott, February 6, 1983). This laryngoscope was originally designed to facilitate intubation in unparalyzed patients and became universally adopted by the anesthetic community. In spite of enormous subsequent changes in anesthetic practice, the Macintosh laryngoscope continues to dominate 50 years after its key indication has become obsolete. This study explores the development and success of this ubiquitous instrument.