Airway Flashcards
Why do we always perform airway assessment?
To predict ease or difficulty of airway management
Indications for intubation
Airway protection Maintain patent airway Apply PPV Maintain adequate oxygenation Deliver predictable FiO2 Provide PEEP
Indications for mask case
No airway instrumentation needed Non-difficult airway No head/neck surg. access needed No airway bleeding/secretions Short case No position changes Good seal, no obstructions
Airway history questions
History of anesthesia with airway management?
Difficult intubation? Awake/fiber optic?
Co-existing disease?
Surgical history?
Comorbidities that affect airway management
Larynx lessions Thyroid disease CA GERD DM Sleep apnea Obesity RA Scleroderma Musculoskeletal disorders
Surgical history affecting airway management
Trach/scar
Neck dissection
UVPP
Cervical fusion
Issues with Downs
Large tongue
Small mouth
Small subglottic diameter
Issues with Goldenhars
Laryngospasm
Mandibular hypoplasia
Cervical spine abnormal
Issues with Klippel-Feils
Neck rigidity d/t cervical fusion
Issues with Pierre Robin
Small mouth
Large tongue
Mandibular anomaly
Issues with Treacher Collins
Difficult laryngoscopy
Issues with Turners
Short neck, high likelihood of difficult intubation
Intercisor distance
> 3cm
Thyromental distance
5cm or 3 fingerbreadths
Neck thickness
40cm neck = 5% chance of difficult airway
