Paediatric difficult airway management: Difference between revisions

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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:
:1. Does the anaesthetist have the necessary paediatric airway
:1. Does the anaesthetist have the necessary paediatric airway experience?
experience?
:2. Does the hospital have the necessary paediatric equipment?
:2. Does the hospital have the necessary paediatric equipment?
:3. Does the relative benefit of the planned surgery outweigh the
:3. Does the relative benefit of the planned surgery outweigh the possible risks of anaesthesia?
possible risks of anaesthesia?


If there is any doubt, full discussion should take place with the parents
If there is any doubt, full discussion should take place with the parents
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The primary plan for management of the expected difficult paediatric
The primary plan for management of the expected difficult paediatric
airway will likely be one of the following:
airway will likely be one of the following:
:1. Laryngoscopy anticipated to be difficult but may be possible:
:1. Laryngoscopy anticipated to be difficult but may be possible: Attempt laryngoscopy and intubation. If fails, consider repositioning and try alternate laryngoscopes if available, or insert LMA and perform fibreoptic intubation (FOI) via LMA.
Attempt laryngoscopy and intubation. If fails, consider
:2. Laryngoscopy predicted to be impossible: Perform nasal FOI or insert LMA and perform FOI via LMA.
repositioning and try alternate laryngoscopes if available, or insert
:3. Laryngoscopy and LMA insertion known to be impossible: perform nasal FOI.
LMA and perform fibreoptic intubation (FOI) via LMA.
:4. Laryngoscopy, LMA insertion and nasal FOI not available or known to be impossible: perform tracheostomy either using inhalational anaesthesia via face mask or intravenous ketamine especially if face mask anaesthesia impossible.
:2. Laryngoscopy predicted to be impossible: Perform nasal FOI or
insert LMA and perform FOI via LMA.
:3. Laryngoscopy and LMA insertion known to be impossible:
perform nasal FOI.
:4. Laryngoscopy, LMA insertion and nasal FOI not available
or known to be impossible: perform tracheostomy either using
inhalational anaesthesia via face mask or intravenous ketamine
especially if face mask anaesthesia impossible.


Blind intubation through an LMA is NOT recommended in children
Blind intubation through an LMA is NOT recommended in children