Abstract Conventional airway management, including intubation and the various modes of lung ventilation, is usually successful. When it fails (cannot intubate, cannot ventilate/oxygenate) it is a life-threatening emergency and will…
Abstract Extubation and emergence are high-risk phases of anaesthesia which accounted for 28% of the anaesthesia cases reported to the Fourth National Audit Project of the Difficult Airway Society and…
Abstract A major challenge of airway management is safe care of the patient with a narrowed airway. Small tracheal tubes offer one solution but pose a problem with ventilation. While…
Abstract As opposed to the simplistic promotion of one given technique or device, the multimodal airway management relies on the recognition that each individual approach may fail, that the maintenance…
Abstract The flexible optical bronchoscope has unparalleled utility for difficult airway management and is part of every difficult airway management algorithm. The device can facilitate intubation for patients with airway…
Abstract Videolaryngoscopes have been in existence for several decades but in the last decade have taken a central role in both difficult and routine airway management. During that time videolaryngoscopy…
Abstract Direct laryngoscopy should be preceded by airway assessment and discussing rescue strategies with assisting staff. The initial plan and rescue techniques should be based on an understanding of normal…
Abstract Tracheal tube introducers or bougies and airway exchange catheters (AECs) are widely used airway adjuncts for facilitating airway management in difficult circumstances. They are easy to use, relatively inexpensive…
Abstract Supraglottic airways (SGAs) have been part of core anaesthetic practice for approximately 30 years, since the introduction of the classic laryngeal mask which is described in some detail. In…
Abstract Face mask ventilation is a basic skill taught to and practised by a large array of medical practitioners. It is usually the first technique applied to an unconscious patient…
