Abstract
Purpose
To describe the clinical use of a new videolaryngoscope in a patient who had repeatedly been difficult or impossible to intubate by conventional direct laryngoscopy. This device provided excellent glottic visualization and permitted easy endotracheal intubation.
Clinical features
A 74-yr-old male presenting for repeat elective surgery had a history of failed intubations by direct laryngoscopy and pulmonary aspiration with a laryngeal mask airway. He refused awake flexible fibreoptic intubation. After the induction of general anesthesia, laryngoscopy was performed using a GlideScope®. This provided complete glottic exposure and easy endotracheal intubation.
Conclusion
This new videolaryngoscope provided excellent laryngeal exposure in a patient whom multiple experienced anesthesiologists had repeatedly found to be difficult or impossible to intubate using direct laryngoscopy. The clinical role of this device awaits confirmation in a large series of difficult airways.
Résumé
Objectif
Décrire l’utilisation clinique d’un nouveau vidéolaryngoscope chez un patient pour qui l’intubation avait été difficile ou impossible à quelques reprises en laryngoscopie directe traditionnelle. Ce dispositif a fourni une excellente visualisation glottique et permis une intubation endotrachéale facile.
Éléments cliniques
Un homme de 74 ans, vu à maintes reprises en chirurgie élective, avait subi des intubations souvent impossibles par laryngoscopie directe et une aspiration pulmonaire lors de l’usage d’un masque laryngé. Il refusait l’intubation vigile avec un fibroscope flexible. Après l’induction de l’anesthésie générale, la laryngoscopie a été réalisée avec un GlideScope®. L’appareil a fourni une exposition glottique complète et permis une intubation endotrachéale facile.
Conclusion
Ce nouveau vidéolaryngoscope a fourni une excellente exposition laryngée chez un patient qui avait subi à de multiples reprises des difficultés ou même l’impossibilité d’intubation par laryngoscopie directe. Le rôle clinique de cet appareil devrait être confirmé par une grande série sur les intubations difficiles.
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Cooper, R.M. Use of a new videolaryngoscope (GlideScope®) in the management of a difficult airway. Can J Anesth 50, 611–613 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018651
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018651