Airway Barriers

• Use of a “throat screen” or “throat pack,” to protect the airway from aspiration of dental objects, intraoral irrigation, blood, and debris
• During preoperative airway exam, make note of loose dentition and removable objects
  • Tooth damage is the most common outpatient general anesthesia claim
• Proper airway barriers may help prevent aspiration, laryngospasm, and bronchospasm
• Types of Barriers
  • Physical barriers
    • Throat screen
      • For NGA
      • Placed in region of tonsillar pillars
    • Throat pack
      • For intubated cases
      • Placed in hypopharynx
    • C‐sponge
    • Rubber dam
      • Still requires a throat screen or pack
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