An In-Depth Guide to Video Laryngoscopes

Video laryngoscopy is no longer a luxury. An increasing number of services are deploying the devices due to a closer scrutiny on prehospital airway management and the cost of video laryngoscopes becoming more affordable. But, with the variety of devices now available, how can you choose a model that meets your needs? All video laryngoscopes aren’t the same—each comes with different strengths and weaknesses. Plus, some require providers to use a different technique during intubation than they would use with a traditional laryngoscope. Individual providers should be prepared to use these devices in case of airway emergency. DIRECT VS. VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPY Direct laryngoscopy involves the use of a device to align the curvature of a patient’s airway into a straight line so that you can see the glottis with your eye, and then pass an endotracheal (ET) tube by means of direct visualization. Traditional laryngoscopes don’t have a video camera; they consist of a handle, a battery power source and a blade that emits a light. The blades used in traditional laryngoscopes are straight (e.g., Miller) or curved (e.g., Macintosh), and we use a technique commonly referred to as "direct laryngoscopy" when performing an ET intubation. (See Figure 1, below.) A video laryngoscope is any laryngoscope with a video camera built in. The term "video laryngoscopy" describes the act of watching the video screen to pass the ET tube into the trachea. SIZES, SHAPES & TECHNIQU...
Source: JEMS Special Topics - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Product Reviews Airway & Respiratory Operations Equipment Gear Special Topics Patient Care Source Type: news