The Williams Airway Intubator, the Ovassapian Airway and the Berman Airway as upper airway conduits for fibreoptic bronchoscopy in patients with difficult airways.
OBJECTIVE
In this article we will summarize the available information on airways that have been suggested to provide a conduit for the bronchoscope in its passage through the upper airway during fibreoptic intubation.


RESULTS
The Williams Airway Intubator and the Berman Oropharyngeal Airway appear to be more likely to provide a conduit for the bronchoscope than the Ovassapian Fibreoptic Intubating Airway.


CONCLUSIONS
Though the Williams Airway Intubator and the Berman Oropharyngeal Airway are superior in this role, all the airways discussed here have major deficiencies in their function. Further research is needed in this field to meet the requirements of endoscopists in situations when it is crucial that equipment reliably fulfils its function.
Greenland
Keith B
KB
Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Brisbane and Royal Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. french9a@yahoo.co.uk
Irwin
Michael G
MG