Tracheal intubation of patients in non-standard positions requires training.
In extreme emergency situations, patients may need to undergo endotracheal intubation, while in a non-supine position. This manuscript offers several options to the anesthesiologist to cope with tracheal intubations in non-standard positions. The authors stress that there is a need for adequate training in an anaesthesia skills lab, whereby classic direct laryngoscopy and indirect videolaryngoscopy should be practiced on manikins, before our trainees actually practice anesthesia on patients in operating theatres. This manuscript is also a plea for developing an algorithm for emergency airway management in the non-supine position.
Department of Anesthesiology, Maastricht University Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands. zundert@iae.nl
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D058109:Airway Management / Q000379:methods; D000465:Algorithms; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008348:Manikins; D056888:Patient Positioning; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology