[Pentax AWS airway scope].

Pentax AWS Airway Scope (Pentax, Japan) is a new videolaryngoscope. We successfully used the device in 15 patients and in other two patients with difficult airways. In a 51-year-old woman, after induction of anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, laryngoscopy using a Macintosh blade showed only the tip of the epiglottis and tracheal intubation failed. Pressure on the neck and the use of gum elastic bougie did not solve the problem. When the Airway Scope was used, a full view of the glottis was obtained and the trachea was easily intubated. In a 71-year-old man, after induction of anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, facemask ventilation was moderately difficult. At laryngoscopy using a Macintosh blade, the epiglottis was long and tubular, and tracheal intubation failed. With the Airway Scope, the trachea was intubated easily. We believe that the Pentax AWS videolaryngoscope is useful in patients with and without difficult airways.