Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-5b777bbd6c-2hk6m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-06-23T12:17:21.436Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 2 - Control of the Airway

from Section 1 - Nuts and Bolts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 June 2025

William Fawcett
Affiliation:
Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford and University of Surrey
Olivia Dow
Affiliation:
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London
Judith Dinsmore
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital, London
Get access

Summary

An anaesthetist may control the airway through the application of several methods and the use of specific equipment. Primarily, the patient’s position must be optimised to allow for an open airway. An appropriate face mask should be fitted around the patient’s mouth ensuring there are no leaks. In the case of an obstructed upper airway the use of oral or nasal devices, such as a Guedel or nasopharyngeal airway, can allow the obstruction to be bypassed and aid effective oxygenation. Supraglottic airway devices (SADs), such as the laryngeal mask or i-gel, are frequently used to provide oxygenation and ventilation in spontaneously breathing patients and form part of the difficult airway algorithm. A variety of devices and generations are now available which have additional benefits of allowing gastric content suction and the passage of flexible scopes to visualise the airway and aid intubation. The tracheal tube is discussed with all its features and benefits of allowing for a definite and secure airway.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

  • Control of the Airway
  • William Fawcett, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford and University of Surrey, Olivia Dow, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, Judith Dinsmore, St George's Hospital, London
  • Book: Robinson and Hall's How to Survive in Anaesthesia
  • Online publication: 09 June 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009421294.010
Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • Control of the Airway
  • William Fawcett, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford and University of Surrey, Olivia Dow, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, Judith Dinsmore, St George's Hospital, London
  • Book: Robinson and Hall's How to Survive in Anaesthesia
  • Online publication: 09 June 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009421294.010
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Control of the Airway
  • William Fawcett, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford and University of Surrey, Olivia Dow, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, Judith Dinsmore, St George's Hospital, London
  • Book: Robinson and Hall's How to Survive in Anaesthesia
  • Online publication: 09 June 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009421294.010
Available formats
×