Background: Patients with potential difficult mask ventilation (DV) and difficult intubation (DI) are often managed with awake intubation, which can be stressful for patients and anesthesiologists. This prospective randomized study evaluated a new approach, fast difficult airway evaluation (FDAE). We hypothesized that the FDAE approach would reduce the need for awake intubation. Methods: Afte...

BACKGROUND This study was designed to document the feasibility of self-positioning after awake fiberoptic intubation of the trachea using primarily effective topical anesthesia rather than sedation. METHODS We investigated 14 patients (ASA physical status 1 to 3) with a neurosurgical diagnosis of cervical instability or at risk of secondary cervical injury, who were scheduled for awake fibero...

Difficult airway management remains central to anesthesia practice. Video laryngoscopes have been an adjunct to airway management since the early 2000s. They have been shown to improve visualization of the glottic opening and have become a useful aid in managing difficult airways. To date, the preferred method for difficult airway management remains awake fiberoptic intubation. The purpose of t...

BACKGROUND Awake fiberoptic intubation is an alternative procedure for securing the airway and is a recommended option when a difficult airway is expected. The aim of the present study was to describe patient experiences with this procedure. METHODS A qualitative, descriptive design was used and patients were recruited from three county hospitals and one university hospital in Sweden. Data wa...

The Airtraq laryngoscope (AL) is a new disposable tracheal intubation device. The authors reported the case of a successful awake intubation with AL of the trachea in a morbidly obese patient. A 54-year-old female, morbidly obese (BMI 38 kg/m), patient was scheduled for a tumor removal of the right eye under general anesthesia. She had symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. The preoperative airwa...

Background Fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation (FNI) is performed if it is difficult to open the mouth or if intubation using laryngoscope is expected to be difficult. However, training is necessary because intubation performed by inexperienced operators leads to complications. Methods Every resident performed intubation in 40 patients. Success of FNI was evaluated as the time of FNI. First in...

Awake blind nasal endotracheal intubation is a modification of Sir Ivan Magill's technique of blind nasal intubation under ether anaesthesia.1 The introduction of neuromuscular blocking agents, facilitating oral intubation under direct vision, led to a decline in popularity of Magill's method and it is now used sparingly, if at all.2 Where the sedated patient remains awake and co-operative, the...

There is controversy regarding the optimal mode of elective tracheal intubation in the patient with an unstable cervical spine following trauma. A ten-year review of 150 patients with traumatic cervical spine injuries with well-preserved neurological function, presenting for operative stabilization, was conducted to compare neurological outcome with the mode of tracheal intubation. Preoperative...