Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T11:37:54.729Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A practical clinical approach to management of the difficult airway

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2006

G. B. Eindhoven ,
B. Dercksen ,
J. G. Regtien ,
P. A. J. Borg  and
J. M. K. H. Wierda
G. B. Eindhoven
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Groningen, PO Box 31.000, 9700 RB, The Netherlands
B. Dercksen
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Groningen, PO Box 31.000, 9700 RB, The Netherlands
J. G. Regtien
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Groningen, PO Box 31.000, 9700 RB, The Netherlands
P. A. J. Borg
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands
J. M. K. H. Wierda
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Groningen, PO Box 31.000, 9700 RB, The Netherlands
Get access

Abstract

Difficult airway management represents a challenge in anaesthesia. In the last decades airway difficulty awareness has improved as a result of better anticipation and decision-making. Airway algorithms and protocols have a more prominent role in training and in clinical anaesthesia practice. In addition, several new instruments and therefore new techniques have been developed. These have improved possibilities for the clinician to secure the airway. Clinicians should become familiar with this equipment and techniques by using them on a regular basis in elective cases. The instruments available must be selected by the characteristics of the patient population, the local circumstances and the experience of the anaesthesiologist. The aim of this paper is to provide some practical guidelines with respect to airway difficulty predictors and airway instrument choice.

Keywords

educationcontinuingintubationintratrachealdifficult airwayASA difficult airway algorithmopticsfibreopticspractice managementmedicalemergency care
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 18 , Issue S23 , November 2001 , pp. 60 - 65
Copyright
2001 European Society of Anaesthesiology

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)