Difficult airway in obstetric anesthesia: a review

Failed intubation and ventilation are important causes of anesthetic-related maternal mortality. The purpose of this article is to review the complex issues in managing the difficult airway in obstetric patients. The importance of prompt and competent decision making in managing difficult airways, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inObstetrical & gynecological survey Vol. 56; no. 10; p. 631
Main Authors Ezri, T, Szmuk, P, Evron, S, Geva, D, Hagay, Z, Katz, J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.10.2001
Subjects
Adult
Airway Obstruction - therapy
Anesthesia, Obstetrical
Anesthesiology - education
Education, Medical, Continuing
Female
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal
Obstetrics - education
Pregnancy
Respiration, Artificial
Treatment Failure
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Summary:Failed intubation and ventilation are important causes of anesthetic-related maternal mortality. The purpose of this article is to review the complex issues in managing the difficult airway in obstetric patients. The importance of prompt and competent decision making in managing difficult airways, as well as a need for appropriate equipment is emphasized. Four case reports reinforce the importance of a systematic approach to management. The overall preference for regional rather than general anesthesia is strongly encouraged. The review also emphasizes the need for professional and experienced team cooperation between the obstetrician and the anesthesiologist for the successful management of these challenging cases. After completion of this article, the reader will be able to break down the complex issues in managing the difficult airway in the obstetric patient, outline the reasons for difficult intubations in pregnancy, and describe the evaluation used to predict a difficult intubation.
ISSN:0029-7828
DOI:10.1097/00006254-200110000-00022