Specialized Equipment for Airway Maintenance, Indications, and Techniques

Advanced airway management integrates basic airway instrumentations, tracheal intubation, and emergency front of neck access to maintain oxygenation and ventilation in perioperative and critical care settings. The ability to ventilate a patient using bag-valve mask technique is an essential tool for every health care provider. When this basic technique is ineffective, direct laryngoscopy facilitates visualization of airway anatomy and placement of intubation devices. This includes the use of supraglottic airway and endotracheal tubes. When nonsurgical techniques fail, cricothyrotomy provides rapid, life-saving access to the trachea.