Advanced airway management

A Glidescope, a device used in advanced airway management.

Advanced airway management is a set of medical procedures performed to ensure an open airway in patients who are unable to maintain a patent airway on their own. This is a critical skill in emergency medicine, anesthesia, and intensive care medicine.

Techniques

Advanced airway management involves several techniques, including:

Endotracheal intubation

An endotracheal tube used for intubation.

Endotracheal intubation is the placement of a tube into the trachea through the mouth or nose to maintain an open airway. This is often performed using a laryngoscope to visualize the vocal cords and guide the tube into the trachea.

Supraglottic airway devices

Supraglottic airway devices, such as the laryngeal mask airway (LMA), are used to maintain an open airway without entering the trachea. These devices sit above the glottis and are less invasive than endotracheal intubation.

Cricothyrotomy

A cricothyrotomy is an emergency procedure where an incision is made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to establish an airway. This is typically performed when other methods of airway management are not possible.

Tracheostomy

A tracheostomy involves creating a direct airway through an incision in the trachea. This is usually a more permanent solution for patients who require long-term ventilation.

Equipment

Advanced airway management requires specialized equipment, including:

• Laryngoscope
• Endotracheal tube
• Supraglottic airway device
• Ventilator

Indications

Advanced airway management is indicated in situations where a patient is unable to maintain an open airway due to:

• Unconsciousness
• Respiratory failure
• Airway obstruction
• Severe trauma

Complications

Complications of advanced airway management can include:

• Aspiration
• Trauma to the airway
• Hypoxia
• Infection

Related pages

• Airway management
• Anesthesia
• Emergency medicine
• Intensive care medicine

Gallery

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  Keeping the airway open in an unconscious patient
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  Endotracheal tube and nasogastric tube
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  Larynx viewed with a microscope
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  External view of the larynx
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  Premature infant with ventilator