1 2 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E J U LY 2 0 1 7
ly. You almost feel like
you're cheating."
Anesthesia practitioners
like Dr. Durick have sever-
al effective options at
their disposal when it
comes to making even the
most problematic airway
a little less hair-raising.
• Video laryngoscopes.
Being able to reach for a
video laryngoscope when
caring for an obese
patient with a recessed
mandible, a small oral
opening and a large neck
that prevents an effective
evaluation of the anatomy
has been the "the biggest
game-changer" in airway management, says Dr. Durick. He touts the technolo-
gy's ease of use and rapid learning curve, and says the devices continue to
improve, thanks to larger higher-definition displays, anti-fog capabilities and
smarter screen placement.
Although a premium video laryngoscope can cost more than $10,000, the
number of low-cost, single-use options has multiplied in recent years, accord-
ing to Rick Novak, MD, an anesthesiologist at Waverley Surgery Center in Palo
Alto, Calif. Dr. Novak travels to as many as 8 different surgery centers, some
of which don't have video laryngoscopes, so he always keeps a disposable
model in his briefcase.
"I had a case just last week where I couldn't see the patient's larynx with a regu-
• BE PREPARED Anesthesia providers should be proficient at using multiple airway devices.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
