Rise in Video Laryngoscopy Has Not Affected Rates of Awake Intubation

Awake intubation is used when glottic visualization with a laryngoscope and rescue mask ventilation are anticipated to be significantly difficult. It involves the use of topical anesthesia and sedation to facilitate intubation without full induction, decrease in respiratory drive, or paralysis. Many cases are managed with a flexible intubating bronchoscope. The improved glottic exposure conferred by video laryngoscopy may reduce the degree of intubation difficulty in a patient who would have otherwise been considered difficult with conventional laryngoscopy, it and may lower an operator's threshold for rapid sequence intubation (induction and neuromuscular blockade). To assess whether rates of awake intubation have changed since the advent …