Retrograde and Submental Intubation
Direct laryngoscopy remains the technique of choice for placing an endotracheal tube (ETT). However, alternative techniques are needed for the difficult airway or unsuccessful intubation. Retrograde intubation may be used…
Percutaneous Tracheotomy
Tracheotomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures in critically ill patients. This article describes in particular the use of percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy. A brief history is included. Airway…
Surgical Tracheotomy
Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure that dates back to early history and medical advancement. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon routinely operates around the airway and should be able to master…
Emergency Cricothyrotomy
Establishment of an unobstructed airway and adequate oxygenation is a basic tenet of life support. Mechanical or anatomic airway obstructions can arise secondary to trauma, pathology, foreign bodies, and infection….
Management of the Difficult Airway
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons use in-office anesthesia techniques on a daily basis more than any other specialty outside anesthesiology. Despite the magnitude of the number of patients who receive deep…
Causes of the Difficult Airway
Recognizing a potentially difficult airway is important in avoiding a life-threatening emergency. There are 2 separate scenarios for considering the difficult airway: difficult mask ventilation (DMV) and difficult tracheal intubation…
