Intubation of the Pediatric Patient

Abstract

Pediatric intubation is an often occurring practice in pediatric anesthesia. However, this does not mean this procedure to be entirely safe. Despite its long history there are still discussions going on whether the epiglottis should be uploaded with the tip of the blade of the laryngoscope or not. Endoscopic evidence has shown that this uploading can injure the mucosa significantly as well as narrow the entrance to the glottis, impeding the advance of tracheal tube which might injure the vocal cords particularly. With more frequent use of simple optical instruments the already high standard of safety in pediatric intubation could be improved.