laryngoscope blade question

[alright35]

ok guys, i am doing my homework for medic class tomorrow and our teacher told us to look up the differences between 5 laryngoscope blades and to explain them. i can't find anything in my book or online as to advantages or disadvantages of these blades, besides straight and curved. any help whether it be info or a website or anything would help thanks guys. below are the five blades he asked about

miller, macintosh, wisconsin, flagg, phillips
i know miller, wisconsin, and flagg are straight, but thats all
and i know macintosh is curved

o and i did search, found nothing

[HuiNeng]

Google "Flagg laryngoscope"; yields
http://www.egeneralmedical.com/welalflaglar2.html

Features:

* Flagg blades are a traditional style with a "C" shaped cross-section.
* The tip has a small curve, and the width of the blade decreases gradually from proximal to distal end.

Product Information:

The Welch Allyn Flagg Laryngoscope Blades, Size 2 (Model 63482) offer quality in a traditional style.

The Flagg is the precursor of the traditional Miller blade and was originally designed for intubation of Flagg catheters and tubes

Key Components:
Flagg Laryngoscope Blades, Size 2
2.5v Vacuum Lamp (Large)

Technical Specifications:
Inside Vertical Measure: 13 mm
Length Inside Base to Tip: 102 mm

[VentMedic]

Different manufacturers make different styles of each type of blade.

http://www.laryngoscopes.net/

Once you learn about assessing the factors that determine intubation difficulty, you will know why the shape of each blade my be important. There is a little more to it than "I like curved". Those that just state personal preference and can not tell you "why" have not properly learned the fundamentals of intubation and probably shouldn't be intubating to add to some of the poor stats.

Look up Intubation Difficulty Scale, Mallampati, and LEMON.

[alright35]

thanks guys, i figured i would just go in with basic info, i mean i am paying to learn so hopefully lecture and lab will explain more tomorrow. i figured intubation is one of those procedures you eventually pick up your own tips/tricks and preferences for, which i am sure comes with practice, and actually doing it to figure out.

[mycrofft]

.............

[MasterIntubator]

Like Vent in saying... once you learn "Why" and know your "whys", it all comes together nicely. Like you said.... takes time and practice. There are sooooo many types and styles, many are not worth the money spent on them, but the most simplist of designs will usually always win.

Good job searching and doing your own homework... that is the skill many lack

:-/

[fma08]

Originally Posted by VentMedic

Different manufacturers make different styles of each type of blade.

http://www.laryngoscopes.net/

Once you learn about assessing the factors that determine intubation difficulty, you will know why the shape of each blade my be important. There is a little more to it than "I like curved". Those that just state personal preference and can not tell you "why" have not properly learned the fundamentals of intubation and probably shouldn't be intubating to add to some of the poor stats.

Look up Intubation Difficulty Scale, Mallampati, and LEMON.

So after one assess the airway using one or more of the aforementioned techniques, how does the information from that assessment determine which blade is to be used? (Went back to my books before asking and found nothing)

[EMSLaw]

I was doing a little reading on some of what Vent discussed, and found the following powerpoint presentation, that I thought was very interesting. It's from a lecture on managing the difficult airway.

Warning: Don't view right after eating. Some of the pictures are a little graphic.

Here's the link.

[emtfarva]

Originally Posted by alright35

ok guys, i am doing my homework for medic class tomorrow and our teacher told us to look up the differences between 5 laryngoscope blades and to explain them. i can't find anything in my book or online as to advantages or disadvantages of these blades, besides straight and curved. any help whether it be info or a website or anything would help thanks guys. below are the five blades he asked about

miller, macintosh, wisconsin, flagg, phillips
i know miller, wisconsin, and flagg are straight, but thats all
and i know macintosh is curved

o and i did search, found nothing

I know with millers and macs, they are used differently...
Millers are used for trauma and kids...
Thats all I know...

[Linuss]

In reality it's whatever your comfortable with, while still being proficient with whatever blade is thrown your way in a call.