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Ultrasound in Airway Management

  • Airway Management (LC Berkow, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Anesthesiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Clinical application of ultrasound (US) in airway management has continued to expand and evolve over the years. Our narrative aims to provide an updated summary of the role of airway US in current anesthesia practice, based on evidence published in the recent 5 years.

Recent Findings

Evidence continues to support the use of US in identifying the cricothyroid membrane and tracheal interspace for infraglottic airway access. While US shows potential in improving the accuracy of prediction of difficult airways, no standardized scanning protocol has yet to be created. Other promising clinical applications of airway ultrasound include confirmation of tracheal intubation, choosing of appropriate endotracheal tubes, assessment of vocal cord function, and guiding of upper airway blocks.

Summary

Ultrasound has numerous advantages: quick, easy to use, accessible, non-invasive, low radiation exposure; and it provides both dynamic and static images with good inter-operator reliability. Improvement in technology has aided the continuous evolution and expansion of the use of US in airway management. Airway US training should be incorporated into the education curriculum of personnel involved in airway management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore

    Jinbin Zhang

  2. Private Anaesthesia Practice Wendy Teoh Pte Ltd., Singapore, Singapore

    Wendy H. Teoh

  3. Department of Anaesthesia, Rigshospitalet, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Michael S. Kristensen

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  1. Jinbin Zhang
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Correspondence to Jinbin Zhang.

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Zhang, J., Teoh, W.H. & Kristensen, M.S. Ultrasound in Airway Management. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 10, 317–326 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-020-00412-7

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