Forum. An evaluation of the levering laryngoscope

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the levering laryngoscope on the view obtained at laryngoscopy. Two hundred and ten consecutive patients who required tracheal intubation were studied. The view at laryngoscopy with the levering laryngoscope blade in the neutral and elevated positions was recorded. In patients in whom there was a Cormack and Lehane grade 3 view of the larynx with the blade in the neutral position, elevation of the levered tip of the blade significantly improved the visualisation of the larynx. In patients where the view of the larynx was grade 1 or 2 with the blade in the neutral position, elevation of the levered tip often (23%) resulted in the view being impaired. This was not a clinical problem as the blade could simply be returned to the neutral position. The levering laryngoscope is a useful additional aid to laryngeal visualisation.