Airway blocks for the anesthetist: a review

As with any regional technique, practice will improve the success rate as well as ability of the practitioner to provide the blocks. Despite the simplicity of the techniques, one must always keep in mind that such anesthesia blunts or eliminates sophisticated and highly effective airway protection reflexes, potentially leaving the patient at risk for aspiration or obstruction. As with other forms of regional anesthesia, airway blocks will provide the anesthetist with additional tools with which to better treat his/her patients. These tools will prove to be useful not only in the operating room setting, but also in emergency room and intensive care areas as well, and will add to the confidence and abilities of the practitioner.