Ultrasound in Airway Management

• Published in: Current anesthesiology reports (Philadelphia) Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 317 - 326
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jinbin, Teoh, Wendy H., Kristensen, Michael S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Airway Management (LC Berkow; Anesthesiology; Critical Care Medicine; Intensive; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Section Editor; Topical Collection on Airway Management; Tracheostomy; Intubation; Cricothyroid membrane; Ultrasound; Airway; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 2167-6275; 2167-6275
• DOI: 10.1007/s40140-020-00412-7

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.