Advantages
- Improved laryngeal visualization
- Improved intubation success
- Greater portability than fibreoptic scopes
- Reduced trauma
- Reduced force required:
- Results in less cervical spine movement
- Less haemodynamic stress
- Easy to learn
- Useful in airway training:
- Allows concurrent view by observer
Disadvantages
- Difficulty in inserting tube despite good view:
- Often Requires bougie or stylet
- Reduced skill in ‘gold standard’ technique of direct laryngoscopy
- Increased cost over standard laryngoscopes
- Large handle can be difficult to insert in pregnant or obese patients