title: [Upper airway obstruction].
abstract: The general symptoms of upper airway obstruction are described, as well as the specific symptoms expected to be found in various conditions that cause such obstruction. An algorithm, intended primarily for general practitioners and other physicians who seldom confront such problems, describes the procedures for establishing an unobstructed airway in different situations. It also outlines the interventions necessary to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation when such procedures fail. Special emphasis is placed on the use of emergency tracheotomy, or oxygenation by means of cricothyreoid membrane puncture, as an alternative to emergency intubation by unskilled physicians.
authors.affiliation: Anestesiavdelingen, Klinikk for medisinsk service, Ullevål sykehus, Oslo.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Opdahl
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006801:Humans; D014140:Tracheotomy
vernacular_title: Ovre luftveis-obstruksjon.