Type
Description
Advantages & Disadvantages
Curved Blade
Designed to be placed under the epiglottis and lift it directly to provide a view of the laryngeal opening
- More traumatic
- More stimulating due to contact with epiglottis - can trigger tachycardia and arrythmias
- Provides better view in patients with long, floppy or anterior epiglottis (neonates, infants and children)
Straight Blade
Designed to lift the epiglottis indirectly and provide a view of the laryngeal opening by placing the tip over the epiglottis into the vallecula and exerting pressure on the hypoepiglottic ligament
- Less traumatic
- Less stimulating
- Provides better view in patients with big tongues
