The Hewitt airway--the first known artificial oral 'air-way' 101 years since its description.
The year 2008 marked 100 years since the publication of Sir Frederic W. Hewitt's description of his artificial airway. Hewitt's airway was the first known oral airway and laid the foundations for the numerous other airways that were later developed. Oral airways made anaesthesia safer and significantly reduced the trauma associated with earlier attempts at managing the obstructed airway.
Haridas
R P
RP
Mildura Base Hospital, Victoria, Australia. rajesh.haridas@bigpond.com