Difficult airway in intensive care unit

Abstract

Airway management in critically ill patients is often difficult and is associated with complications. Knowledge of airway anatomy, its change during laryngoscopy and physiology of oxygen transport is essential for predicting difficult airway and in planning the management. Optimal assessment of the airway anatomy to predict difficulty, formulating a plan of action, and an alternate plan, assembling the required equipment and personnel, keeping the difficult airway trolley ready, preparation of the patient by preoxygenation and proper positioning are some of the measures to decrease complications. Adequate training to develop cognitive and procedural skill for managing difficult airway is very important. All physicians involved in airway management should update their skills by involving in simulation excercises and workshops