Video laryngoscopy and retromolar endoscopy in maxillofacial surgery

: The article presents successful intubation experience in 54 patients. Laryngoscopy was performed with McGrath Series 5 laryngoscopy with a difficult airway blade ("Airway Medical") in 46 patients, and retromolar endoscope Bonfils ("Karl Storz") in 9 patients. Technical traits, resulting from the use video laryngoscopy and retromolar endoscope are discussed. It was shown that video laryngoscopy is a high-performance intubation technique, including difficult ones. The possibility of video laryngoscope conduction in case of significant difficulties with mouth opening (max incisors distance of 1.3 cm) and atlantoccipital immobility make this method a real support to fiber bronchoscope intubation. Retromolar orotracheal intubation with Bonfils stylet training is associated with difficulties in case of insufficient endoscopy skills. During intubation the rule should be used: "to enter prorsad, do everything vice versa". The use of videolaryngoscopy and retromolar intubation is a real support for standard laryngoscopy and fiberbronchoscopy during orotracheal intubation including difficult ones. Difficult intubation may result from mouth opening restriction, atlantoocciital immobility and orolaryngopharynx deformation because of edema and rigidity, for example after an osteotomy or tumors presence. Videolaryngoscopy master is easier than retromolar endoscopy, because videolaryngoscope construction, laryngoscopy technique and larynx structures visualization are similar to the classic MAC blades.