[Clinical experiences with fiber optic intubation with the Bonfils intubation fiberscope].

In a prospective study 107 patients were analyzed regarding difficulty of intubation. One hundred and three were intubated with the retromolar fibrescope named after Bonfils. The report gives an account of the intubation technique and experiences with this device. Intubations, primarily assumed to be difficult, can be accomplished with its help without any problems. This is especially true in situations, in which the difficulty of intubation is diagnosed only after the induction of anaesthesia and relaxation of the patient. For this technique, a sufficient opening of the mouth for the introduction of the apparatus is necessary. The rigid fibrescope cannot compete with the flexible optic, but supplements the repertoire of aids for difficult intubations. It could open up new areas of indication for safe and gentle intubation.