CHALLENGES IN THE USE OF VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPES

Despite the lack of uniformity and the need of further investigation, video laryngoscopy continues to gain popularity both inside and outside the operating room. It has quickly become a first line strategy for potential and/or encountered difficult intubation. It is well established that video laryngoscope improves laryngeal view as compared with direct laryngoscopy in patients with suspected difficult intubation and simulated difficult airway scenarios. For novices and experienced anesthesiologists alike, video laryngoscopy is easy to use and the skills involved are easy to master. However, it is important to say that video laryngoscopes may be used in a variety of clinical scenarios and settings because of the video laryngoscope design offering an alternative intubation technique in both anaesthetized and awake patients. The aim of this article is to show and highlight clinical situations in which the use of video laryngoscope is a challenge for an experienced anesthesiologist in solving the airway. Challenges in the use of video laryngoscope with which we deal and encounter in everyday clinical practice that are discussed in this paper are intubation in the prehospital setting and emergency departments, intubation in Intensive Care Unit, intubation in a patient with cervical spine immobilization, and awake video laryngoscopy-assisted tracheal intubation in the obese. We also point out the important role of video laryngoscope as a tool for teaching and training in airway education. Training and education in difficult airway management is essential to improve patient safety at endotracheal intubation in emergency situation.