Role of playback videolaryngoscope footage in improved patient care

Despite the frequency of videolaryngoscope use, to the authors' knowledge, there are no publications exploring the role of playback video recording in real time to improve patient care. We present a patient with a difficult airway complicated by trauma during GlideScope (R) (Verathon Inc., Bothell, WA, USA) intubation. The injury was not recognised by any of the anaesthetic staff observing the intubation, and was only identified when playback video footage was viewed. This provided the opportunity for early ear, nose and throat surgical review prior to extubation. Airway trauma can be missed by the anaesthetist. Reviewing video playback footage at an appropriate time during the case may enable more timely recognition of airway injuries and, ultimately, improved patient care.