Cases
Airway stories
Analysis of real cases and accounts from those who lived them: what happened, what we decided and what we would do differently.
Airway stories
1943: Macintosh's curved blade that changed laryngoscopy
In 1943 Robert Macintosh published a laryngoscope with a curved blade whose tip rests in the vallecula.
11/05/2026 ·
Airway stories, Devices
Archie Brain and the laryngeal mask: from a home-made prototype to the operating room
British anaesthetist Archie Brain built his first prototype in 1981; the commercial mask arrived in December 1987.
11/03/2026 ·
Airway stories
1958: Safar and Elam show why the airway must be opened first
In 1958 Peter Safar and James Elam described head tilt, jaw thrust and mouth-to-mouth ventilation.
11/01/2026 ·