Airway Management Outside the Operating Room

Abstract

An anesthesiologist is an expert at airway management in the clinical environment. He or she has mastered knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the normal and potentially abnormal airway. The environment of the operating room (OR) has been considered to be their most familiar area of work, where they feel most confident. Airway management outside this area is known to put patients at an increased risk of complications. This chapter addresses the important facets of this indispensable skill when used outside the operating room, taking into consideration both anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologists as operators. Since the intensive care unit (ICU) is a similar environment to the OR, a separate chapter has been written for airway management in the ICU. Therefore, this chapter will concentrate on other areas outside the OR. It will not address resuscitation scenarios.