Introduction

 

 

We became familiar and confident with the use of the Lo Pro Adult GlideScope Video Laryngoscope (LGVL; manufactured by Verathon Medical, Bothell, Washington, United States) and recently published our favorable experiences with the LGVL for laryngoscopy and orotracheal intubation in patients with a wide range of conventional laryngoscopic views (3). GlideScope Video Laryngoscopes (GVLs) allow for the transmission of a color video image to a monitor, enabling the operator to visualize anatomical structures of the laryngeal aperture not necessarily in the line-of-sight with conventional laryngoscopy (2, 3). We recently purchased the battery-powered, portable GVL system for our intensive care unit and the emergency admission area (4), a valuable mobile airway management device for use also in remote locations.

 

The manufacturer released now a further battery-powered, portable GVL system, the GlideScope Ranger Video Laryngoscope (GRVL), specifically designed to be dependable in an array of  field conditions. The low-profile blade of the GVLR is significantly modified compared to the LGVL and the monitor is miniaturized. Unfortunately, there are no published data on its performance. We therefore conducted a further study on patients with variable degrees of airway difficulties and conventional laryngoscopic views to evaluate the performance of the new GRVL in clinical practice.

 

 

Materials and Methods