Management of the difficult airway

Airway management skills are critical to patient care in many settings. Patients with a difficult airway present unique challenges and considerations, and clinicians should assess for this condition by obtaining a thorough history and physical examination. Familiarity with difficult airway management guidelines, algorithms, tools, and techniques is essential to formulating a safe and effective plan for intubation as well as extubation. This article focuses on airway evaluation, identification, planning, extubation, and care of the patient with a difficult airway.