Video-Assisted Laryngoscopy and Its Effects on Difficult Airway Management

Abstract

Video-assisted laryngoscopy (VL) has become a critical tool in the anesthesiologist’s arsenal. Compared with direct laryngoscopy (DL), VL often improves laryngeal views, increases the frequency of first-attempt intubations, and decreases the time in achieving successful intubation. First-line utilization of VL has changed the approach to airway management, with some specialists indicating that VL will eventually replace traditional DL. In this chapter, we describe the history of video laryngoscopy, the advantages and disadvantages of currently available VL technologies, and its emerging utility in a variety of clinical settings.