Diagnostic and therapeutic applications of the C-MAC® videolaryngoscope in pediatric airway surgery

Abstract

Surgical pediatric airway diseases are often challenging, and an adequate visualization of pharyngeal and laryngeal structures is absolutely necessary for their correct diagnosis and treatment. Different instruments such as intubation laryngoscopes, suspension laryngosco- pes and flexible and rigid bronchoscopes allow for access to the airway, and using a com- bination of them, is usually required to successfully address these problems. In this review, we discuss the use of videolaryngoscopes in the management of conditions such as subglottic stenosis, airway lesions and foreign bodies. Although commonly used by anesthesiologists for difficult intubations because of their built-in cameras that facilitate the view of laryngeal structures, there are scarce reports on its use by airway surgeons. Advantages over stan­dard laryngoscopy include improved visualization and the ability to supervise the procedure through a screen. We also consider that it allows for improved ergonomics, portability and fast insertion of different instruments. We have found it to be particularly useful in subglot- tic stenosis dilation and an easy, cheap and reproducible method is also presented.