**1. Introduction**

The techniques for managing a patient's airway are constantly evolving. Historically, direct visualization of the vocal cords and related airway structures was required for each laryngoscopy. However, advances in technology have allowed for indirect laryngoscopy. Simply put, this technique involves visualizing the patient's vocal cords without utilizing a direct line of site. Various forms of indirect laryngoscopy exist including fiberoptic bronchoscopes, fiberoptic stylets, mirror or prism optically enhanced laryngoscopes, and video laryngoscopes – the focus of this chapter. By using a laryngoscope equipped with a light source and video camera, a provider can visualize structures not within direct line of sight. The GlideScope®, developed in 1999 with the support of Dr. Jack Pacey, was the first video laryngoscope to be readily available. Since then, many different video laryngoscopes have been developed, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this chapter, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of video laryngoscopy, differences in technique compared to direct laryngoscopy (DL), risks and benefits, various devices available, and what the current literature tells us about this airway technique compared to other utilized techniques.
