Bimanual laryngoscopy

OVERVIEW

  • Bimanual laryngoscopy using external laryngeal manipulation (ELM) is the single most practical and effective airway management technique for facilitating intubation during direct laryngoscopy.
  • The technique can also be used effectively with video laryngoscopy when using standard geometry (MacIntosh) laryngoscope blades.

METHOD

Conventional method

  • During laryngoscopy, the laryngoscopist reaches around with the right hand, manipulating the larynx while directly observing the effect on laryngeal view.
  • the force on the neck is in the opposite direction to the force of lift with the laryngoscope.
  • After the view is optimized, an assistant maintains pressure at this location, freeing the laryngoscopist’s right hand to place the tube.

Modified method (recommended based on Hwang et al, 2013)

  • An assistant places his/her hand on the patient’s thyroid cartilage
  • the laryngoscopist guides the assistant’s hand with his/her right hand to achieve the best laryngeal view and says “keep the pressure and direction.”
  • The assistant maintains the pressure on the thyroid cartilage in the same direction and with same force as guided by the laryngoscopist during the tracheal intubation.

Evidence

  • Levitan et al (2002) showed using videographic analysis that external laryngeal manipulation (ELM) by novice intubators using a direct laryngoscopy markedly improved laryngeal views (measured as POGO scores).
  • Levitan et al (2006) conducted a randomised controlled trial using a cadaver model and found that when emergency physicians performed direct laryngoscopy, bimanual laryngoscopy improved the view compared to cricoid pressure, BURP (backwards upwards rightwards pressure), and no manipulation. They also found that cricoid pressure and BURP frequently worsen laryngoscopy.
  • Hwang et al (2013) performed a randomised controlled trial involving 78 patients and found that modified bimanual laryngoscopy (with the intubator guiding an assistant’s hand to optimise view) was more effective at optimising laryngeal view than conventional bimanual laryngoscopy (intubator performing external laryngoscopy then asking an assistant to “push this way”).

CCC Airway Series

Journal articles

  • Hwang J, Park S, Huh J, et al. Optimal external laryngeal manipulation: modified bimanual laryngoscopy. Am J Emerg Med. 2013;31(1):32-6. [pubmed] [article]
  • Levitan RM, Mickler T, Hollander JE. Bimanual laryngoscopy: a videographic study of external laryngeal manipulation by novice intubators. Ann Emerg Med. 2002;40(1):30-7. [pubmed]
  • Levitan RM, Kinkle WC, Levin WJ, Everett WW. Laryngeal view during laryngoscopy: a randomized trial comparing cricoid pressure, backward-upward-rightward pressure, and bimanual laryngoscopy. Ann Emerg Med. 2006;47(6):548-55. [pubmed]

FOAM and web resources

Critical Care

Compendium

Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the  Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.

He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.

His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.

On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.

| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC

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