[Optical and video-assisted laryngoscopy for problematic airways].

Airway management is one of the greatest anaesthesiologic challenges. Direct laryngoscopy using a standard McIntosh laryngoscope has been the predominant intubation choice for many years. Videolaryngoscopy is becoming a widely accepted airway management technique owing to its potential advantages over direct laryngoscopy including a better view of the larynx, reduced tracheal intubation time and educational value. We present an overview of the currently most used optical and video-assisted laryngoscopes with a special focus on the McGrath Series 5 videolaryngoscope.