| Abstract: | Endotracheal intubation remains the "goldstandard" in airway management. If with use of conventional techniques intubation of the patient fails, or if an anticipated difficult airway is present, video-assisted techniques may help to increase intubation success. Video-assisted techniques give the possibility to indirectly visualise the laryngeal structures with fibreoptical or camerachip-technique, and to display the videopicture on an external or integrated monitor. For the anticipated difficult airway, awake flexible fibreoptical intubation still is the first choice. However, if Oxygenation and Ventilation can be established with bag-mask ventilation or supraglottic airways, the use of an endoscopic optical stylet or a videolaryngoscope may be alternatives. If the algorithm for the unanticipated difficult airway can be safely administered, the latter techniques may also be used as emergency intubation devices. |
