Role of videolaryngoscope in the management of difficult airway in adults: A survey

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A number of videolaryngoscopes (VLs) have flooded the Indian market. As per All India Difficult Airway Association 2016 guidelines, all anaesthesiologists should have access to a VL and must be trained to use it. We conducted an electronic survey to know the perception of Indian anaesthesiologists, who are members of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (Karnataka State Chapter) towards the role of VL in the management of difficult airway (DA) and factors governing their use. METHODS: An electronic survey was sent to 2580 ISA members to know the availability, use and attitude towards VLs in the management of DA in adults. The survey was open for a period of 2 months and responses analysed. RESULTS: The response rate was 25.8% (666 out of 2580). A total of 280 (42%) respondents had access to VL. The respondents rated VL as 4(th) preference for anticipated DA and 1(st) for unanticipated DA (if available). The most widely used VLs were C-MAC, Airtraq, and Kingvision. As per 133 respondents (20%), access to VL in institutes was restricted only to consultants and the main reason being cost. The clarity of the image was the most important factor the respondents expected in a VL. CONCLUSIONS: Less than half of respondents had access to VLs. Most of them having access to it worked in corporate hospitals. The high cost of the device and steep learning curve are still barriers against its widespread use. We conclude that low-cost devices, with increased clarity may make usage of VLs frequent and available to residents.