Video laryngoscopy: a double-edged sword

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation revolutionized anesthesia and allowed prolonged surgical procedures to be performed. It also made positive pressure ventilation possible in patients in respiratory insufficiency and being managed in intensive care units. But successful intubation required the development of laryngoscopes. A variety of blades were developed to be used in different sets of patients. A laryngoscope came to be known as a symbol of the specialty of anesthesiology. But it was not always safe, nor successful, necessitating more sophisticated instruments. Video laryngoscopes were introduced with a sigh of relief for the anesthesiologists in difficult airway cases. Many variations of video laryngoscopes with slight differences have been marketed. But cases of video laryngoscope related injuries have been reported. This paper gives an over-view of the possible mechanism and preventive measures.

Abbreviations: DL - Direct laryngoscopy; ETT – Endotracheal intubation; IDL - indirect laryngoscopy; VL - Video laryngoscopy;  

Key words: Airway management; Instrumentation; Intubation, endotracheal; Laryngoscope; Laryngoscopy

Citation: Dhoon TQ, Wilson L, Rajan GRC. Video laryngoscopy: a double-edged sword. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2023;27(3):413−416; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v27i3.2219

Received: March 30, 2023; Reviewed: April 11, 2023; Accepted: April 15, 2023