• G J Arthurs.
• Consultant Anaesthetist, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Croesnewydd Road, Wrexham, Clwyd LL13 7TD, UK.
• Anaesthesia. 1999 Sep 1;54(9):873-4.

AbstractThe light from a battery-powered laryngoscope with a fibreoptic blade is limited by the 3-V battery and deteriorates with use, as the optic fibres break. A laryngoscope handle is described in which the bulb is replaced by a fibreoptic cable connecting to a mains, halogen light source. This laryngoscope gives 6000 Cd.m(-2) light at the centre of the field compared with 800 Cd.m(-2) for the battery. The field of illumination is also improved from 1600 Cd.m(-2) 20 mm from the centre compared with 120 Cd.m(-2) for the battery handle. The fibre optic cable is attached at the side of the handle and does not interfere with intubation. The mains-powered light source has the advantages of being reliable with the ability to switch immediately to a second bulb; low running costs; improved light for intubation and it makes it possible to use a dental mirror for indirect laryngoscopy in difficult intubations.

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