Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation
Published on: August 2, 2024
Expected difficult tracheal intubation: a prospective comparison of direct laryngoscopy and video laryngoscopy in 200
A Jungbauer1, M Schumann, V Brunkhorst
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, Clinics Essen-Mitte, Henricistr. 92, 45136 Essen, Germany.
Background:
The Berci-Kaplan video laryngoscope was developed to improve the visualization of the glottis and ease tracheal intubation. Whether this technique is also effective in patients with an expected difficult intubation is unclear. We have prospectively evaluated the conditions and success rate of tracheal intubation in patients with a Mallampati score of III or IV.
Methods:
Two hundred patients, undergoing general anaesthesia, were randomized to be intubated using direct laryngoscopy (n=100) or video laryngoscopy (n=100). Visualization of the vocal cords, success rate, time for intubation, and the need for additional manoeuvres (laryngeal manipulations, head positioning, and Eschmann stylet) were evaluated.
Results:
Video laryngoscopy produced better results for the visualization of the glottis using Cormack and Lehane criteria (P<0.001), success rate (n=92 vs 99, P=0.017), and the time for intubation [60 (77) vs 40 (31) s, P=0.0173]. In addition, the number of optimizing manoeuvres was also significantly decreased [1.2 (1.3) vs 0.5 (0.7), P<0.001].
Conclusions:
Video laryngoscopy, when compared with direct laryngoscopy for difficult intubations, provides a significantly better view of the cords, a higher success rate, faster intubations, and less need for optimizing manoeuvres. Therefore, we feel that the video laryngoscopy leads to a clinically relevant improvement of intubation conditions and can be recommended for difficult airway management.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
Endotracheal Intubation I: Procedure
The ET tube comprises various components, including a standard adaptor to attach a bag-valve-mask (BVM) or ventilator, a cuff, a pilot balloon, and radiopaque markings along its length to measure the insertion distance. The tube sizes...
Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management
1. Nursing Care of Patients Before Intubation
Before the endotracheal intubation procedure, nurses play an essential role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. The nurses must be familiar with intubation...
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Endotracheal Tube Extubation
Procedure
Extubation removes the endotracheal tube (ETT) from the patient on mechanical ventilation. It requires a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Tracheostomy Decannulation
Description of the Procedure
Decannulation refers to the permanent removal of the tracheostomy tube, signaling the resolution of the condition that initially necessitated the tracheostomy. The process requires a well-coordinated interplay between...

