Anticipated difficult airway in ear, nose and throat procedures

Abstract

Contrary to general and obstetric populations, where difficult airway is widely studied and well documented, it requires further research in elective and emergency ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeries. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has published practice guidelines for the management of difficult airway, which help us deal with it perioperatively. All patients posted for ENT surgeries with difficult airway should be evaluated preoperatively and the strategy for management of difficult intubation as well as extubation chalked out. In the event, that the primary approach fails, the secondary plan should always be clear preoperatively, to reduce morbidity and mortality.