Open AccessVideolaryngoscopy
Author(s) -
R. V. Chemsian,
Sanjay M. Bhananker,
Ramesh Ramaiah
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of critical illness and injury science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.274
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2231-5004
pISSN - 2229-5151
DOI - 10.4103/2229-5151.128011
Subject(s) - medicine , intubation , airway management , laryngoscopy , intensive care medicine , airway , endotracheal intubation , tracheal intubation , popularity , strengths and weaknesses , anesthesia , psychology , social psychology , philosophy , epistemology
The approach to airway management has undergone a dramatic transformation since the advent of videolaryngoscopy (VL). Videolaryngoscopes have quickly gained popularity as an intubation device in a variety of clinical scenarios and settings, as well as in the hands of airway experts and non-experts. Their indirect view of upper airway improves glottic visualization, including in suspected or encountered difficult intubation. Yet, more studies are needed to determine whether VL actually improves endotracheal intubation (ETI) success rates, intubation times, and first attempt success rates; and thereby a potential replacement to traditional direct laryngoscopy. Furthermore, advances in technology have heralded a wide array of models each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and optimal applications. Such limitations need to be better understood and alternative strategies should be available. Thus, the role of VL continues to evolve. Though it is clear VL expands the armamentarium not only for anesthesiologists, but all healthcare providers potentially involved in airway management.