Smacc

Reuben Strayer and Duncan Grossman discuss all things airway. Specifically, how the introduction of many airway technologies at once–some of them revolutionary, some not–have confused our airway strategy. So how can we incorporate the best of these technologies into contemporary airway management? They begin with a big question – what equipment should you choose? There are many options, including direct or video laryngoscopy as well as multiple versions of the laryngoscope blade itself. As Reuben explains, all these terms can be confusing and are often imprecise. Direct laryngoscopy clears a line of sight between one’s eyes and the glottis to visual it. This is unlike video laryngoscopy which uses a camera to visual the glottis. The next distinction is the type of blade – standard geometry versus hyperangulated blades. The differences between - and the varying uses of – standard geometry blades and hyperangulated blades are discussed. This discussion will clear up confusion about the nomenclature for all clin