Chapter 12 – Face Mask Ventilation
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…
Chapter 9 – Awake Tracheal Intubation
Abstract Awake intubation is underused and relevant whenever difficult airway is predicted. Evidence suggests that awake videolaryngoscope-guided intubation is faster with equivalent success rate, safety profile and patient acceptance compared…
Chapter 11 – How to Avoid Morbidity from Aspiration of Gastric Content to the Lungs
Abstract Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents during general anaesthesia can be fatal. A 1956 report identified pulmonary aspiration as the commonest cause of death during general anaesthesia and NAP4 reported…
Chapter 10 – Drugs for Airway Management
Abstract Correct choice and use of drugs is fundamental to airway management success and safety. This is true for both elective and emergency anaesthesia and at the start and end…
Chapter 8 – Oxygenation: before, during and after Airway Management
Abstract Oxygenation is the primary aim of all airway management. The shape of the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve determines onset of hypoxaemia and means that when it occurs it can progress…
Chapter 7 – Ultrasonography for Airway Management
Abstract Ultrasonography is an established modality in medical imaging and is evermore entering clinical practice. This chapter provides an introduction to the principles of clinical ultrasonography. It describes the use…
Chapter 6 – Pre-anaesthetic Airway Endoscopy, Real and Virtual
Abstract This chapter explores the well-established skill of upper airway endoscopy as a tool for assessing the upper airway and planning the best airway management approach for anaesthesia. It also…
Chapter 4 – Structured Planning of Airway Management
Abstract When airway management is indicated, to avoid a bad outcome, patient safety will be maximised by careful decision making about and careful implementation of the chosen approach. This chapter…
Chapter 5 – Pre-anaesthetic Airway Assessment
Abstract Failure to properly assess and identify possible difficulties with airway management and incorporate these findings to airway management strategies can lead to a poor clinical outcome. A thorough patient…
Chapter 2 – Physiology of Apnoea, Hypoxia and Airway Reflexes
Abstract The nature and origin of hypoxia is multifaceted. The prevention and treatment include optimisation of pre- and peroxygenation and the wise choice and use of neuromuscular blocking agents. Upper…
