Magill forceps

OVERVIEW

• Magill forceps

USES

• aid passage of an endotracheal tube into the larynx (e.g. nasal intubation)
• aid gastric tube passage into the oesophagus
• remove foreign bodies from the airway/ pharynx
• place pharyngeal packs (e.g. bleeding)

DESCRIPTIONS

• Twin-bladed tong-like forceps
• handles for gripping by the user
• rounded ends for grasping
• oblique angle between handles and blades to enable prevent obscuration of the view of the airway during use
• Reusable or disposable (usually stainless steel)
• infant, child and adult sizes
• polished and dull finishes
• open and closed end design to aid gripping of different materials

METHOD OF INSERTION/ USE

• used to grasp objects under direct vision
• best used with a laryngoscope to produce an optimal view of the larynx and displace soft tissues forward to create space for manipulation

COMPLICATIONS

• Local trauma
• breakage of forceps
• unable to grasp small objects (e.g. coin) if inadvertently using open tipped forceps

HISTORY

• Named after its designer Sir Ivan Whiteside Magill (1888-1986), Irish-born pioneer of Anaesthetics
• Originally designed and described in 1920

References and Links

• Sir Ivan Whiteside Magill (1888 – 1986)
• Magill IW. Forceps for intracheal anaesthesia. Br Med J 1920;2:670