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Management of the Difficult Pediatric Airway

  • Airway Management (LC Berkow, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review discusses the most current relevant literature regarding management of the difficult pediatric airway.

Recent Findings

Periodic review of the latest research ensures that anesthesia providers are educated on the most current practices. The review will provide practical evidence to support the use of various devices and techniques, including video laryngoscopy, flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, apneic oxygenation, use of neuromuscular blockade, ultrasound, and more. A simple algorithm for managing the difficult pediatric airway is also provided. Understanding the risk factors for the difficult pediatric airway, along with thorough preparation, will aid in reducing complications, which can be devastating.

Summary

Providers must maintain proficiency in the skills, both traditional and novel, required to effectively and safely manage the expected and unexpected difficult pediatric airway.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Jacob Heninger, Mitchell Phillips, Andrea Huang & Narasimhan Jagannathan

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  1. Jacob Heninger
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  2. Mitchell Phillips
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  3. Andrea Huang
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  4. Narasimhan Jagannathan
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Contributions

Jacob Heninger: This author helped write and revise the manuscript.

Mitchell Phillips: This author helped write and revise the manuscript.

Andrea Huang: This author helped revise the manuscript.

Narasimhan Jagannathan: This author helped revise the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Narasimhan Jagannathan.

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Conflict of Interest

JH—none. MP—none. AH—none. NJ serves on the editorial boards of Anesthesia & Analgesia, Pediatric Anesthesia, Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, and Journal of Anesthesia. He has received products free of charge from Ambu and Teleflex corporations. He has received travel support for meetings involving future developments for upcoming airway devices from Teleflex and Mercury Medical and previously served on the Medical Advisory Board of Vyaire.

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Heninger, J., Phillips, M., Huang, A. et al. Management of the Difficult Pediatric Airway. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 10, 361–369 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-020-00408-3

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