Fiberoptic, Video Laryngoscope, and Nasal Airway Procedures
In patients with known or suspected difficult airways, advanced airway procedures such as fiberoptic laryngoscopy (under general anesthesia—with and without supraglottic airways—and sometimes in awake patients) as well as video laryngoscopy are invaluable. All may be particularly advantageous for use with patients who have limited or reduced cervical spine movement. Other advantages and disadvantages are addressed in this chapter. Techniques for nasotracheal intubation are also described. Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy is a means of indirectly visualizing airway structures by threading a fiberoptic scope with a camera at the end of the scope into the airway. The goal of fiberoptic laryngoscopy is endotracheal intubation using a Seldinger technique, whereby an endotracheal tube is guided into the trachea over the fiberoptic bronchoscope. Fiberoptic endotracheal intubation may be performed through the mouth or nose, or through a supraglottic airway (SGA). The use of the fiberoptic scope through an SGA is an especially useful technique in infants who suffer from airway obstruction at rest (e.g., infants with Pierre Robin syndrome). Video laryngoscopy employs a laryngoscope with a camera at the end of the blade to enable the user to indirectly visualize airway structures.