Airway and Intubation

By Anthony Lewis and Todd Slesinger

A good understanding of Airway and Intubation is fundamental to managing a sick patient. This demonstration by Anthony Lewis (from iSimulate) and Todd Slesinger provides a brief overview of the basics of the upper airway and laryngoscopy.

The presentation begins with Anthony Lewis outlining basic upper airway anatomy, in particular the anatomy of the tongue and its attachments, and the cricoid membrane. He explains how these structures can affect the airway and the principles behind basic airway manoeuvres. He also discusses common anatomical variants and how they can create additional challenges when managing a patient’s airway.

Todd Slesinger then takes over, outlining the importance of endotracheal intubation and tricks for staying in the green zone of the Vortex Approach to managing a difficult airway. He explains why size does matter and how to adjust your technique for different sized blades. He also discusses various techniques to get the most out of your bougie and troubleshoots common problems encountered when intubating.

This video does not discuss options for failed endotracheal intubation, including a surgical airway. This will be discussed in future videos so stay posted!