critical care medicine
How To Do Orotracheal Intubation Using Video Laryngoscopy
Introduction
Endotracheal (ET) tubes are flexible tubes with a standard flange for attaching an oxygen source at the proximal end and a beveled tip and inflatable balloon cuff at the distal end. Under visualization, using either direct laryngoscopy or one of various types of video laryngoscopy, the ET tube is inserted into the mouth and directed into the trachea (orotracheal intubation). Less commonly, the ET tube is inserted into the nose (nasotracheal intubation). (See also Tracheal Intubation , as well as Endotracheal tubes are the definitive method of airway management for most patients with apnea or severe ventilatory failure. Orotracheal intubation was long done using direct laryngoscopy. However, video laryngoscopy is a useful method of endotracheal intubation because it can provide better visualization of the glottis than direct laryngoscopy. A video laryngoscope has a small camera on the end of a laryngoscope blade that transmits an image to a screen that may be incorporated into the device handle or separate from the device. 