Proliferation of Video Devices: Recently there has been a substantial increase in the number of commercially available video devices for facilitating intubation. Their utilization is now widespread. These include video laryngoscopes (VLs) and video stylets that are placed inside endotracheal tubes (ETTs). Flexible bronchoscopes that have video cameras at the tip instead of optical fibers in them have also become available. Some of the VL blades have an integrated channel (VLc) for passage of an ETT exchange catheter, or fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB), or ETT.
As the VL camera is located close to larynx, visualization of an anterior larynx is substantially better with VL than with direct laryngoscopy (DL).1 Failure to visualize can be corrected by adjusting the position of the VL blade in the pharynx (and by external manipulation of the larynx). Unlike during DL, improved visualization of larynx on VL does not correlate with ease of intubation. Attempted...
