oa Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia - Airway management resources in operating theatres : recommendations for South African hospitals and clinics : guideline for difficult airway equipment

Abstract

General anaesthesia (GA) requires airway instrumentation to facilitate spontaneous or mechanical ventilation. The endotracheal tube (ETT) is still considered the airway management device of choice in intensive care, emergency medicine and anaesthesia, particularly where muscle relaxants are used. Endotracheal intubation is an essential skill for anaesthesia practitioners.

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A wide variety of airway devices is now available for management of situations where intubation is required, but may prove to be difficult or impossible. The intention of this paper is to provide a suggested guideline for the equipment that should be available in healthcare facilities (HCFs) where intubation is performed for GA.