Paediatric difficult airway management: Difference between revisions

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(30-40 micrograms.kg-1 PO or 20 micrograms.kg-1 IM). Peak effect of
(30-40 micrograms.kg-1 PO or 20 micrograms.kg-1 IM). Peak effect of
atropine is 90 minutes if given PO, 25 minutes if given IM.
atropine is 90 minutes if given PO, 25 minutes if given IM.
Anaesthetic technique
 
=== Anaesthetic technique ===
The most important principle in managing the difficult airway in
The most important principle in managing the difficult airway in
children is to maintain spontaneous ventilation until the airway is
children is to maintain spontaneous ventilation until the airway is
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of airway problems encountered in children means the anaesthetic
of airway problems encountered in children means the anaesthetic
must be tailored to the individual situation:
must be tailored to the individual situation:
:• Large extraoral tumours may mean a face mask will not fit
:• Large extraoral tumours may mean a face mask will not fit the child’s face, so an inhalational induction is impossible and IV induction/sedation must be used instead.
the child’s face, so an inhalational induction is impossible and IV
:• Large intraoral tumours prevent laryngoscopy and the use of an LMA - nasal fibreoptic intubation (FOI) should be used.
induction/sedation must be used instead.
:• Conditions such a noma (cancrum oris) often cause severe limitation of mouth opening - nasal FOI is likely to be required.
:• Large intraoral tumours prevent laryngoscopy and the use of an
:• Other problems such as partial mouth opening, severe retrongathia or bony abnormalities (ameloblastoma) often make laryngoscopy difficult but do permit the insertion of an LMA if laryngoscopy proves impossible.
LMA - nasal fibreoptic intubation (FOI) should be used.
:• Burns contractures causing fixed flexion of the neck may be released prior to intubation using ketamine anaesthesia and with local infiltration.
:• Conditions such a noma (cancrum oris) often cause severe
limitation of mouth opening - nasal FOI is likely to be required.
:• Other problems such as partial mouth opening, severe retrongathia
or bony abnormalities (ameloblastoma) often make laryngoscopy
difficult but do permit the insertion of an LMA if laryngoscopy
proves impossible.
:• Burns contractures causing fixed flexion of the neck may be
released prior to intubation using ketamine anaesthesia and with
local infiltration.


The variety of clinical conditions mean a one-size-fits all approach is
The variety of clinical conditions mean a one-size-fits all approach is

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