Difficult Airway

Abstract

The difficult airway is a reality that every practitioner of anesthesia will encounter. The most difficult airway is the unanticipated difficult airway. Due to the enormous efforts and work of professional societies awareness has been raised, training has improved, and skills are kept current. New devices such as the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) and video laryngoscopy have made securing the difficult airway an easier task. Increased awareness of obstructive sleep apnea has helped improve patient safety. This article attempts to discuss the key components of the difficult airway algorithms of the ASA, DAS, CAFG; with a focus on the airway exam, oxygenating the patient, developing a plan and backup plans, and finally the options when doing.

Keywords: Airway Algorithm, Airway Examination, Difficult Airway, Oxygenation, Surgical Airway, Supraglottic Device.

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