Outcomes of intubation in difficult airways due to head and neck pathology.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of surgical pathology, anesthesiologist experience, and airway technique on surgically relevant outcomes in patients identified by preoperative laryngoscopy to have a difficult airway due to head and neck pathology. We prospectively recorded a series of 152 difficult airway cases due to head and neck pathology out of 2,145 direct laryngoscopies undertaken between November 2005 and June 2008. One of two senior anesthesiologists specializing in head and neck procedures intubated 101 (66.

Preemptive vessel dilator cricothyrotomy aids in the management of upper airway obstruction.

Purpose: Our objective was to demonstrate that preemptive vessel dilator cricothyrotomy may be useful when managing the patient with airway obstruction.

Methods: An Institutional Review Board approved retrospective study was undertaken in 88 patients for whom this technique was selected. The anesthesiologists and surgeons identified as authors were directly involved in the care of these patients.

Transnasal jet ventilation is a useful adjunct to teach fibreoptic intubation: a preliminary report.

Purpose: Fibreoptic intubation (FOI) has become an essential technique in the anesthetic management of patients with difficult airways. Unfortunately, residents may graduate from anesthesiology training programs with insufficient skills in FOI. To enhance resident proficiency at FOI without compromising patient comfort or safety, the technique of transnasal jet ventilation-assisted FOI was developed.

A preliminary study of the optimal anesthesia positioning for the morbidly obese patient.

Background: Hypoxemia during the induction of general anesthesia for the morbidly obese patient is a major concern of anesthesiologists. The etiology of this pathophysiological problem is multifactorial, and patient positioning may be a contributing factor. The present study was designed to identify optimal patient positioning for the induction of general anesthesia that minimizes the risk of hypoxemia in these patients.