The laryngeal mask airway has revolutionized routine anesthesia and has become the default rescue airway for difficult intubation and difficult mask ventilation. The King LT and Combitube have advantages for prehospital and tactical use, but they are not effective conduits for tracheal intubation.

While some still debate the relative merits of direct vs. video laryngoscopy, the newest set of laryngoscopes make it easy, offering the best of both worlds.