Use of the McCoy laryngoscope or fingers to facilitate fibrescope-aided tracheal intubation

Abstract

In fibrescope-aided tracheal intubation, it can be difficult to advance a tube over a fibrescope, because its passage may be impeded by the epiglottis, arytenoids or pyriform fossa. In two patients with difficult intubation, after successful insertion of a fibrescope into the trachea, it was impossible to advance the tube over the fibrescope. Fibrescope-aided tracheal intubation was accomplished by shifting the epiglottis anteriorly and 'opening up' the glottis either by fingers or the McCoy laryngoscope.