Airway Management in Paediatric Anaesthesia

Abstract

AbstractAirway management (AM) plays a pivotal role in paediatric anaesthesia. Tremendous development has taken place in the last few decades. From an era where intubation with a conventional laryngoscope or blind nasal intubation was the only tool for airway management, we have come a long way. Today supraglottic airway devices have pride of place in the operating room as well as outside, both as the primary and rescue devices. Direct and video laryngoscopes, flexible video endoscopes, and transtracheal devices help us overcome difficult and previously impossible airway situations. These developments imply the need to update knowledge of these devices and their applications. Also, much of our basic understanding of the physiology and anatomy of the paediatric airway has changed. A good airway management technique is an essential skill for the anaesthetists taking care of the children for surgery. Airway management is anaesthesia, and the anaesthesia is airway management, is not an overstatement in children.