Rosenblatt and Yanez reported a decision tree to determine appropriate airway management for a patient. The authors are from Yale University in New Haven.
Patient selection: requirement for airway management
Parameters:
(1) suspected difficult laryngoscopy or intubation with direct or video laryngoscope
(2) suspected difficult ventilation with facemask or supraglottic device
(3) significantly increased risk of aspiration
(4) increased risk of rapid desaturation
Indications for airway management with induction of anesthesia - one of the following:
(1) difficult laryngoscopy or intubation with direct or video laryngoscope is not suspected
(2) all of the following:
(2a) suspected difficult laryngoscopy or intubation with direct or video laryngoscope
(2b) difficult ventilation with facemask or supraglottic device is not suspected
(2c) the risk of aspiration is not significantly increased
(2d) the risk of rapid desaturation is not increased
Indications for awake airway management - both of the following:
(1) suspected difficult laryngoscopy or intubation with direct or video laryngoscope
(2) one or more of the following:
(2a) suspected difficult ventilation with facemask or supraglottic device
(2b) significantly increased risk of aspiration
(2c) increased risk of rapid desaturation
An alternate strategy may be required if the patient is unable to cooperate.
