Difficult airway algorithm

This is one variation of the difficult airway algorithm.

ADDITIONAL TAGS:

Difficult airway algorithm
Adapted from Wikipedia, UpToDate, TrueLearn, StatPearls.
Suspected difficult laryngoscopy
Suspected difficult ventilation with face mask / SGA
Significant ↑ risk of aspiration
Increased risk of rapid desaturation
Suspected difficult emergency invasive airway
Suspected difficult ventilation with face mask/ SGA
Suspected difficult ventilation with face mask/ SGA
Suspected difficult ventilation with face mask/ SGA
Suspected difficult ventilation with face mask/ SGA
Awake intubation
Intubation after induction of general anesthesia
YES
NO
YES
NO
Optimize O2 throughout
Airway approached by noninvasive intubation
Invasive airway access
Success
Fail
Consider feasibility of other options
Cancel case
Invasive airway access
Confirm with exhaled CO2
Initial intubation attempts successful
Initial intubation attempts unsuccessful
Limit attempts: consider calling for help
Face mask ventilation adequate
Face mask ventilation inadequate
Consider/attempt SGA
SGA adequate
Not adequate or feasible
Nonemergency pathway:
-ventilation adequate
-intubation unsuccessful
Emergency pathway:
-limit attempts
-note passage of time
Limit attempts: consider waking the patient
Consider alternative intubation approach, invasive access, or other options
Call for help
Emergency noninvasive airway ventilation
Successful ventilation
Fail
Fail or deterioration in ventilation
Success
Emergency invasive airway access