title: Awake fiberoptic intubation using an optical stylet in an anticipated difficult airway.
abstract: Numerous rigid indirect fiberoptic and video-based airway tools have been developed as potential alternatives to direct laryngoscopy for intubation. Compared with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopes, these devices are less expensive and may be easier to use. The role of these rigid instruments in managing the difficult airway in the emergency department is yet to be defined. This article details the use of a rigid fiberoptic stylet to manage an anticipated difficult airway by using topical anesthetic without sedation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. gkovacs@dal.ca
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petrie
mesh_terms: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local