[Airway devices in the intensive care unit]

This review presents the potential indications for different airway devices in the intensive care unit (ICU). Since the interface during noninvasive ventilation is located outside the body, sedation is not regularly needed. Therefore, selection of a fitting mask is essential to avoid mask intolerance which is one of the biggest problems during noninvasive ventilation. Full-face masks are the interfaces mostly used for noninvasive ventilation to treat acute respiratory failure; here, mouth breathing is possible which is often necessary during acute respiratory failure. Good alternatives are total face masks and the helmet, whereas nasal masks and mouthpieces are not regularly used on the ICU. Extraglottic airway devices and coniotomy are used for the management of difficult airway situations on the ICU. Endotracheal intubation remains the gold standard procedure for airway management. However, this procedure is associated with a number of complications. Tracheostomy is the airway access of choice when long-term mechanical ventilation is necessary.