added to our arma-
mentarium," she
says. "It's changed
our comfort level
in handling various
patients, and lets
us perform cases
we would have
otherwise can-
celled."
Invest in
patient care
Dr. Cooper says
most practitioners trained in direct laryngoscopy use video laryngo-
scopes inappropriately, because the skills of the former don't translate
to the latter. He therefore uses video laryngoscopes regularly to keep
his skills sharp for when he's faced with a truly difficult airway.
Ms. Wrobleski agrees with the importance of always being prepared
for the unexpected. Anesthesia providers at her facility are encour-
aged to use the video laryngoscope a couple times each month during
routine cases to remain competent with its use. "The insertion tech-
nique and placement of the endotracheal tube are different than dur-
ing a regular intubation," she says. "The only way to learn the tricks
that improve your technique is through practice. An emergency is not
the time to use a device you're not familiar with."
Video laryngoscopes are easier to use than conventional laryngo-
scopes, says Dr. Loskove, who stops short of calling the devices the
standard of care in airway management. "They're relatively more
expensive, and therefore have limited availability in most facilities,"
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 1 3
• SEEING IS BELIEVING Video-assisted laryngoscopy provides direct view of the glottis.
