Pharmacologic aids to intubation and the rapid sequence induction

Endotracheal intubation usually can be performed in the emergency setting without the use of pharmacologic adjuncts. However, local airway anesthesia lessens patient discomfort, and the use of sedation and muscle relaxants occasionally may be necessary. Rapid sequence induction of general anesthesia adds benefits as well as risks to airway management; used in the circumstance of a full stomach combined with open eye injury or closed head injury associated with raised intracranial pressure, it should be practiced only by physicians appropriately trained and skilled at the procedure.