2016/03/01 by Patrick Wong, P Wong, J Wong +2
Medicine · #Airway Management and Intubation Techniques #Tracheal and airway disorders #Trauma Management and Diagnosis
paper · pdf · doi:10.11622/smedj.2016050
crossref issued 2016/03/01 · crossref published 2016/03/01 · crossref published-print 2016/03/01 · openalex publication_date 2016/03/01 · crossref created 2016/03/16 · crossref deposited 2022/08/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/08/03 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
The acutely obstructed airway is a medical emergency that can potentially result in serious morbidity and mortality. Apart from the latest advancements in anaesthetic techniques, equipment and drugs, publications relevant to our topic, including the United Kingdom's 4th National Audit Project on major airway complications in 2011 and the updated American Society of Anesthesiologists' difficult airway algorithm of 2013, have recently been published. The former contained many reports of adverse events associated with the management of acute airway obstruction. By analysing the data and concepts from these two publications, this review article provides an update on management techniques for the acutely obstructed airway. We discuss the principles and factors relevant to the decision-making process in formulating a logical management plan.