We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is an Intubation Scope?

By A. Reed
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,728
Share

Referred to as a laryngoscope, an intubation scope is a visual device used by a physician to aid him or her in conducting a procedure referred to as an endotracheal intubation. The endotracheal intubation procedure is indicated for respiratory distress or arrest, a condition in which breathing is absent or significantly decreased causing a severe lack of oxygenation to the body’s tissues. Laryngoscopes can either be flexible or rigid and the type used depends on the reason for the intubation.

The chief reason for performing an endotracheal intubation is primarily to open the airway, but it also allows access for removal of an object that has become lodged preventing airway exchange. Frequently, the tube is placed with the objective of administering mechanical ventilation, the use of a medical device that breathes for the patient experiencing severe respiratory problems. In this case, the tube is attached to the device upon its insertion into the trachea.

When the insertion of an endotracheal tube is determined to be necessary, the doctor typically administers a drug for sedation or a numbing agent such as lidocaine in order to relax the patient to allow for easier penetration of the tube through the trachea. The patient is positioned on his or her back with the head adjusted so that the airway opens up properly. Then, using the intubation scope to see, the doctor inserts the tube into the mouth, guiding it through the trachea. Insertion of an intubation tube can be done while the person is fully awake or asleep as in surgery. Alternatively, an endotracheal intubation can be done through the nose as well.

Doctors verify positioning of the tube to ensure that it has been properly placed into the trachea. To do this, the physician may check placement visually by watching the patient's chest rise and fall while listening with the stethoscope. Correct positioning of the tube can also be verified by an x-ray.

An intubation scope can typically come in two different forms: flexible and rigid. Both types have lights and allow for deep visualization inside of the throat, but the flexible scope tends to be better for patients as they are a bit more comfortable during insertion. Rigid scopes tend to be inserted for a more invasive procedure, such as for viewing vocal cord cancer or performing a biopsy, and general anesthesia is administered in this case. The intubation scope can also allow for optimal visualization by projecting the image onto a large screen.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-an-intubation-scope.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.