Intubating With A Pediatric GlideScope

The pediatric GlideScope Video Laryngoscope (GVL), by Verathon is just as useful for managing difficult intubations in children, as it is in adults. Intubating an infant or young child with a GlideScope requires weight/age specific blades and modified technique because the anatomy of infants and toddlers differs from adults.

illustration of a glidescope intubation in cords section, with the view of the larynx behind in a monitor
The GlideScope is one type of videolaryngoscope that allows you to “see” around corners for visualizing anterior larynxes.

What’s Different About Infant Anatomy?

Infants and toddlers are not small adults. The pediatric airway often appears more anterior during intubation than the adult airway. The larynx is located much higher in the neck, opposite C2,3 rather than C5,6 as in the average adult. This effectively places the larynx right behind the base of the tongue. The tongue itself is large compared to the size of the mouth, making it more difficult to displace forward. As the child grows older, the anatomy changes, becoming more like a small adult by the age of about 8 years.

Illustration showing infant and adult head in cross-section and demonstrating the difference in anatomy that effect airway management and intubation.
Differences in the infant airway combine to make the airway appear more anterior during intubation.

Straight blades are usually preferred in our youngest patients because they lift the epiglottis directly. A curved MAC blade depends on pressure on the hyoepiglottic ligament to indirectly lift the epiglottis. In an infant or toddler, because the larynx is so much higher in the neck and right behind the tongue, pressure on the hypoepiglottic ligament often folds the epiglottis down. A MAC blade can hide the glottis from view. Differences in the infant airway combine to make the airway appear more anterior during intubation.

For more information on direct laryngoscopy in small children, or on how the MAC blade manipulates the hyoepiglottic ligament please see the links listed here:

Shape Of The Pediatric GlideScope Blade Varies With Size

The anatomy of a child is constantly morphing. The airway of an infant is different from that of a toddler, which is different from that of an older child and an adult. It stands to reason that a GlideScope blade would have to be shaped specifically for the anatomy in order to work optimally. Indeed, pediatric GlideScope blades for infants and toddlers have different shapes to accommodate the higher position of the larynx.

Not only is the #1 pediatric GlideScope blade shorter. It also has more of a right angle to accommodate the higher larynx.

Note the difference between a Size #1 GlideScope blade on top, and the #2 below it. The shape difference takes into account the fact that the infant larynx is higher in the neck.

Photograph showing shape comparison GlideScope Blade #1 and #2
Note the difference between a Size #1 pediatric GlideScope blade on top, and the #2 below it. The shape difference takes into account the fact that the infant larynx is higher in the neck.

What Size Pediatric GlideScope Blade Should I Use In Children?

Four sizes of pediatric GlideScope blade are currently available. Pediatric GlideScope blades (GVL) are usually chosen by patient weight:

  • GVL 0 for < 1.5 kg
  • GVL 1 for 1.5–3.6 kg
  • GVL 2 for 1.8–10 kg
  • GVL 2.5: 10-28 kg

However, selecting the next size smaller than recommended for that weight child may provide a better view by allowing more ability to manipulate the angle and depth of the blade in the small pediatric mouth (1,2). You should optimally have both sizes available and be ready to switch blades if the first one doesn’t give a good view.

Illustration showing the difference in shape of different sized pediatric GlideScope blades and its effect on view
(a) A GVL based on weight for a child will sometimes be too long and therefore unable to lift the epiglottis, blocking the view. (b) Using one size smaller, and therefore a shorter blade, may allow greater ability to lift the tip.

Inserting The GlideScope

The GlideScope blade is shaped like a longer, more curved Macintosh blade, however, insertion technique is quite different. The MAC blade is inserted to the right side of the mouth and used to slide the tongue to the left. Unlike the MAC, the GlideScope blade is inserted midline and rotated around the tongue in order to line up the camera lens with the larynx.

A More Neutral Head Position Is Helpful

Decreasing the angle the endotracheal tube (ETT) must travel can help. Unlike with the MAC or Miller, this typically means placing the head and neck in a more neutral position rather than an extreme sniffing position.

Because of the pronounced occiput of an infant, you many need to place a small roll under the shoulders to obtain a neutral position. For a toddler, having the head resting on the bed surface, or with a very small folded towel is often optimal.

Illustration showing proper positioning of the child vs the infant head during intubation to bring the axes of the airway into alignments
For children older than 2 years, placing a small folded towel under the head gives a good sniffing position. For children less than 2 years the towel should go under the shoulders to compensate for the large round occiput and to bring the axes of the airway into alignment.

Shape The Stylet In Your ETT To Match The Blade

You must use a properly curved stylet because the path to the larynx is curved and out of your direct line of sight. Unlike the “hockey-stick” shape used during direct laryngoscopy, the stylet should match the curve on the GlideScope blade. If using a standard stylet, place the stylet into the ETT and then mold it against the GlideScope to match curves. Leave the ETT in the sleeve to keep it sterile.

For children older than about 4 years, it’s often better to use a stiffer, wire stylet rather than the highly flexible slip guide type because the latter is often not long enough, nor stiff enough to guide an ETT larger than size 5.

Because a standard disposable stylet is so malleable, it will occasionally straighten during insertion, especially if the space it tight. This leads to the frustrating situation of being able to see the larynx and not being able to “get there”. A stiffer GlideScope specific, non-disposable stylet is available that is preconfigured to the correct curve. It has a blunt tip to minimize potential for trauma. However, it is much stiffer and can potentially damage pharyngeal structures if you are not gentle. Pull it back slightly before fully inserting the ETT into the trachea. There is both a pediatric and adult dedicated GlideScope stylet. Use of the adult stylet is limited to tubes size 6 or larger.

The stylet must match the curve of the particular GlideScope blade used. Make sure the tip of the stylet does not extend past the tip of the endotracheal tube.

Pediatric endotracheal tubes are shorter than adult tubes. Always verify that the tip of your stylet is completely inside the endotracheal tube. A stylet extending beyond the tip can damage the mucosa. 

Key Points for GlideScope Use

To see a more extensive overall discussion on general technique for intubating with the GlideScope in both adults and children, check out these two articles, as well as the video illustration on GlideScope use from my books :

To summarize some of those principals here:

  • Selecting the next size smaller pediatric GlideScope blade than recommended for that weight child may provide a better view by allowing more ability to manipulate the angle and depth of the blade
  • A more neutral head position is better.
  • Shape the ETT style to match the curve of the blade.
  • Look at the patient and periodically glance at the monitor during initial insertion of the blade. Once you see the larynx on the monitor then look at the monitor and glance back at your patient. The same is true when inserting your endotracheal tube. Failure to look at your patient during key moments can cause injury and broken teeth.
  • Insert the blade in the midline and avoid inserting it too deeply, hiding the larynx.
  • Ensure the tip of your ETT is in the same plane as the glottis.
  • When having difficulty, lift the jaw, ask for cricoid pressure, or reposition the head and head as with any intubation.
  1. Lee JH, Park YH, Byon HJ, et al. A comparative trial of the GlideScope video laryngoscope to direct laryngoscope in children with difficult direct laryngoscopy and an evaluation of the effect of blade size. Anesth Analg. 2013;17(1):176-181.
  2. Armstrong J, John J, Karsli C. A comparison between the GlideScope video laryngoscope and direct laryngoscope in paediatric patients with difficult airways—a pilot study. Anaesthesia. 2010;65(4):353-357.

2 thoughts on “Intubating With A Pediatric GlideScope”

  1. Every second of this video is spot-on. Thank you so much.

    One question, what have you found to be the optimal head positioning in children? Face plane parallel with ceiling?

    1. Yes, but it’s more important helpful that the ear canals are level with the chest. This may mean putting a small folded towel under an infant’s or small toddler’s shoulders to compensate for the large, rounded occiput. I wrote a review article in the Anesthesiology News Airway Journal, discussing 10 Common Pediatric Airway Problems—And Their Solutions, which you can link to here:
      http://bit.ly/38JFbAC
      My book, Pediatric Airway Management: A Step By Step Guide is also available at cost on amazon.com during the pandemic. I chose to put both my books up for sale at no profit at this time since there is such an overwhelming need to teach and learn airway management. It’s print version but I am working on having a digital version formatted.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.