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Successful first time use of the portable GlideScope® videolaryngoscope in a patient with severe ankylosing spondylitis

Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, USA, E-mail: cherylgooden{at}msnyuhealth.org

The GlideScope® videolaryngoscope (GVL; Saturn Biomedical Systems Inc., Burnaby, BC, Canada) was developed for management of the difficult airway. The laryngoscope blade consists of a camera and light source embedded along its inferior aspect.¹ The blade has a 60° angle, and with its camera provides outstanding views of the supraglottic airway and adjacent structures. The airway image is captured on a 7-inch display unit that can accompany this system, or with other compatible designs.^1,2 The portable GVL is the latest version to be developed. There are several features that make this system appealing. First, it is lightweight. Second, it has a high-resolution screen. Third, it is compact and comes with its own carrying case (Figure).

View larger version (111K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGURE The portable GlideScope® videolaryngoscope (reprinted with permission, Saturn Biomedical Systems Inc., Burnaby, BC, Canada).

The laryngeal mask airway and intubating laryngeal mask airway have previously been described for use in ankylosing spondylitis.³ I report the successful intubation of a patient with a difficult airway secondary to ankylosing spondylitis. The unique feature is that despite being an experienced laryngoscopist, the anesthesiologist was a relative novice to the GVL. The learning curve with this device appears to be rapidly attainable.^1,4 Ideally, the beginner to the GVL may want to first practice its use in manikins. It is suggested that the skills required in using the GVL be acquired in patients with normal airways, before advancing to the difficult airway.

Footnotes

The author has no commercial interest in the GlideScope® or Saturn Biomedical Systems.

References

1 Cooper RM, Pacey JA, Bishop MJ, McCluskey SA. Early clinical experience with a new videolaryngoscope (GlideScope®) in 728 patients. Can J Anesth 2005; 52: 191–8.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

2 Doyle DJ. Miniaturizing the GlideScope® video laryngoscope system: a new design for enhanced portability (Letter). Can J Anesth 2004; 51: 642–3.[Free Full Text]

3 Lu PP, Brimacombe J, Ho AC, Shyr MH, Liu HP. The intubating laryngeal mask airway in severe ankylosing spondylitis. Can J Anesth 2001; 48: 1015–9.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

4 Lim TJ, Lim Y, Liu EH. Evaluation of ease of intubation with the GlideScope® or Macintosh laryngoscope by anaesthetists in simulated easy and difficult laryngoscopy. Anaesthesia 2005; 60: 180–3.[Medline]

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