Paediatric difficult airway management: Difference between revisions

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Alternate techniques
<i>Alternate techniques</i>
 
Traditional laryngoscopes (curved, straight or McCoy levering blades)
Traditional laryngoscopes (curved, straight or McCoy levering blades)
give a direct view of the larynx. Alternate techniques use an indirect
give a direct view of the larynx. Alternate techniques use an indirect
approach with flexible or rigid equipment.
approach with flexible or rigid equipment.
• Flexible indirect laryngoscopy, in the form of fibreoptic intubation,
 
is the established ‘gold standard’ for the management of the
:• Flexible indirect laryngoscopy, in the form of fibreoptic intubation, is the established ‘gold standard’ for the management of the predicted difficult airway in adults (see below).
predicted difficult airway in adults (see below).
:• New rigid indirect laryngoscopes are available, including in paediatric sizes. Rigid indirect laryngoscopy has a place in the unexpected difficult tracheal intubation algorithm. The choice of device depends on local availability and expertise.
• New rigid indirect laryngoscopes are available, including in
 
paediatric sizes. Rigid indirect laryngoscopy has a place in the
unexpected difficult tracheal intubation algorithm. The choice of
device depends on local availability and expertise.
If visualising the larynx is impossible, then an LMA should be inserted.
If visualising the larynx is impossible, then an LMA should be inserted.
LMAs provide a clear airway in the vast majority of children. This
LMAs provide a clear airway in the vast majority of children. This
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If LMA insertion fails, then oxygenation and ventilation must be
If LMA insertion fails, then oxygenation and ventilation must be
provided by mask ventilation.
provided by mask ventilation.
3. Cannot intubate, cannot ventilate (CICV) - ‘rescue
 
techniques’
== 3. Cannot intubate, cannot ventilate (CICV) - ‘rescue techniques’ ==
A simple algorithm for the management of ‘cannot intubate, cannot
A simple algorithm for the management of ‘cannot intubate, cannot
ventilate’ is given in Figure 3 : Can’t intubate can’t ventilate algorithm.
ventilate’ is given in Figure 3.
http://www.apagbi.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/APA3-CICVFINAL.
 
pdf
Rescue techniques for the CICV situation have been extensively
Rescue techniques for the CICV situation have been extensively
researched in the adult literature, but their use in paediatric emergencies
researched in the adult literature, but their use in paediatric emergencies
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steps for difficult facemask ventilation should be tried first. If muscle
steps for difficult facemask ventilation should be tried first. If muscle
relaxants have been used and can be reversed, wake the child up.
relaxants have been used and can be reversed, wake the child up.
THE EXPECTED DIFFICULT AIRWAY
=== THE EXPECTED DIFFICULT AIRWAY ===
If the preoperative airway assessment alerts the anaesthetist to expected
If the preoperative airway assessment alerts the anaesthetist to expected
difficulties in airway management then there are three key questions:
difficulties in airway management then there are three key questions:

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