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Flexible video tracheoscopes designed to pass through the vocal cords to view the carina and tracheal structure while assisting endotracheal intubation procedures. These tracheoscopes consist of a flexible endoscope about 600 mm (24 inch) long with a working channel, a suction channel to extract mucous and/or bronchial secretions, a fiber optic light system, appropriate lenses, and a small battery-powered light (e.g., halogen) source. The tracheoscopes are usually passed through single lumen tracheal tubes, but some permit passing through double lumen tubes. Add-on cameras allow displaying images through video systems. Intubation tracheoscopes are mainly used to facilitate placement of tracheal tubes in emergency situations even when a laryngeal fracture is present; they may be also used as standard laryngoscopes when needed.
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