Key Points “Resuscitation Sequenced Intubation” for managing critically ill patients and the physiologically difficult airway has become an accepted term describing the process of intubation and transition to positive-pressure ventilation that poses significant risk to the patient in an at-risk…
Key Points There is a wide range of supgraglottic airways (SGAs), and expertise with several devices is necessary to provide optimal airway management to patients in a wide range of settings. Although there is an expanding range of indications for…
Key Points The most important upper airway (UA) soft tissue obstruction site is the soft palate. The one-handed face-mask ventilation (FMV) technique airway maneuver is the chin-lift/head extension (CL/HE) maneuver applied in the sagittal plane (on the occipito-atlanto-axial joint). The…
“Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens, we have to keep going back and beginning all over again.” Andre Gidé, Le traité du Narcisse: Theorie du symbole, 1891 Key Points The early evolution of airway management techniques and…
Key Points Neuromuscular blockade has been shown to improve the ability to face-mask ventilate and perform laryngoscopy. A ketamine induction is likely to preserve spontaneous ventilation; however, apnea has been reported, and airway obstruction is always possible. Succinylcholine, despite its…
Key Points The mainstay technique for increasing the apneic window is through preoxygenation with spontaneous face-mask ventilation and 100% oxygen. More recently, there has been increased emphasis on perioxygenation , which also involves providing oxygenation during the apneic period. Preoxygenation…
Key Points The incidence of pulmonary aspiration in the general surgical population is low, but it is slightly increased among obstetric, pediatric, and trauma patients. It remains the leading cause of death related to airway management. Regurgitation and aspiration can…
KEY POINTS When faced with a difficult airway (DA), awake intubation is the gold standard for airway management. There are no absolute contraindications to awake intubation other than patient refusal, or a patient who is unable to cooperate (e.g., a…
Key Points Airway management occurs within the broad and complex sociotechnical system of healthcare delivery. Aspects of design, training, and team functioning can be modified to improve safety. Airway management is now a “team sport,” and interventions to improve safety…
Key Points Adherence to the principles of an airway management algorithm and widespread adoption of such a structured plan should result in a reduction of respiratory catastrophes and a decrease in perioperative morbidity and mortality. Airway evaluation should consider any…