laryngoskop

A laryngoscope is a medical instrument used to visualize the larynx and facilitate tracheal intubation. It typically consists of a handle connected to a blade that carries a light source, and many modern designs include a camera and a video display. Laryngoscopes can be used directly to expose the glottic opening or indirectly via a video image.

Direct laryngoscopes use curved (Macintosh) or straight (Miller) blades, inserted in the mouth to elevate the tongue and reveal the larynx. Video laryngoscopes provide a live image on a monitor and often improve glottic visualization, particularly in difficult airways. Fiberoptic laryngoscopes allow flexible intubation through the nose or mouth and are widely used in difficult airway management and ENT procedures. Historically, indirect laryngoscopy used mirrors or rigid scopes to view the larynx without passing the blade into the airway and is less common for routine intubation today.

Indications include securing the airway during anesthesia, emergency and trauma care, and facilitating endotracheal tube placement. Laryngoscopes are also used to examine laryngeal structures and to guide suctioning or diagnostic procedures. Devices come in various sizes for adults and children, and some models are designed for specific clinical settings.

Modern laryngoscopes evolved from early direct laryngoscopy devices developed in the 19th and 20th centuries; the Macintosh curved blade and Miller straight blade are among the most widely used designs. Potential complications include dental injury, soft tissue trauma, bleeding, and, rarely, laryngospasm or hypoxia during attempts, underscoring the need for proper technique and monitoring.