Abstract
The inability to secure the airway, with consequent failure of oxygenation and ventilation, is a life-threatening complication. Failure of oxygenation leads to hypoxia followed by brain damage, cardiovascular dysfunction, and finally death. Time is a very crucial factor in this context. Complications vary widely in severity; while some are dramatic and immediately life-threatening (unrecognized esophageal intubation), others can be severe and long-lasting (nerve injuries) or mild and short-lived (sore throat). To minimize injury to the patient, the anesthesiologist should examine the patient's airway carefully, identify any potential problems, devise a plan that involves the least risk for injury, and have a back-up plan immediately available. Each anesthesiology department should establish guidelines/algorithms specific to their institution. Unfortunately, a reliable test for detecting all patients at risk does not exist.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 641-659 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Best Practice and Research: Clinical Anaesthesiology |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2005 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Complications
- Intubation
- Oxygenation
- Ventilation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine