An unusual failure of a laryngoscope handle.

摘要

To the Editor:A 22-year-old male with hyperhidrosis presented for general anesthesia for a scheduled bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopy and sympathectomy. During the laryngoscopy, the handle of the Rusch (Sulzbach, Germany) laryngoscope blade separated at the weld line (a 3 Macintosh blade was used to place a double lumen endotracheal tube) (Fig. 1). As a result, the patient's trachea was intubated with a backup laryngoscope handle and 3 Macintosh blade, both of which had been previously inspected. In retrospect, the failure of the weld line could have been caused by a number of factors; such as, a hairline fracture, subtle damage if the handle was previously dropped, repeated disinfection with germicidal disposable wipes (PDI Sani-cloth~(TM)), or repeated cleaning with soap and water. This particular laryngoscope handle had been in service for approximately three years.