Anaesthesiologic Techniques for Patients at Risk of Aspiration

Abstract

Rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII) is the appropriate method of inducing general anaesthesia in patients who are at a risk of aspiration. The classical RSII is limited to a few treatment recommendations which are rarely based on evidence-based findings. New techniques (e.g., video laryngoscopy) as well as new means of diagnostics (e.g., sonography) require reevaluation of traditional techniques. In this article non-pharmacological treatment strategies of RSII are described. Furthermore, old and new methods to minimise the risk of aspiration are discussed. This includes gastric tube and gastric sonography as well as modalities for anaesthesia induction, e.g. patient positioning, face mask ventilation, relaxometry, cricoid and left-paratracheal pressure. In-hospital, RSII treatment standards must be familiar to all team members and treatment processes have to be well established and practiced regularly. The aim of this article is to present systematics that can be used as a decision-making basis for local operating procedures.