Difficult intubations: aids and alternatives

Physicians who are likely to encounter emergency situations should know how to secure an airway with techniques other than the standard methods of oral and nasal intubation. The approach and the equipment used depend on the clinician's abilities and experience. Aids and alternative techniques include use of the fiberoptic laryngoscope, guided retrograde transcricoid intubation, esophageal devices, cricothyrotomy, tracheotomy and transtracheal jet ventilation.