Abstract
Knowing how to manage a difficult airway in a pediatric patient is
important. Physical characteristics that are indicators for a difficult airway and difficult
ventilation will be discussed. Management of an anticipated difficult airway using
different intubating techniques and intubating devices will be described. Unlike the
adult patient, an awake intubation is often not possible and methods for anesthetizing
the patient will also be explained. In the case of an unanticipated difficult airway where
intubation and ventilation are not possible, front of neck access is the next step. Certain
airway emergency situations such as stridor in a pediatric patient and mask ventilation
of a neonate causing abdominal distension will also be described and its management.
Emergent intubations in an unfamiliar setting outside of the operating room can prove
to be difficult for the anesthesia provider. This chapter will also describe the difficulties
encountered and methods of management.
Keywords: Anesthesia induction of difficult airway patient, Difficult mask ventilation in the neonate, Emergency intubation outside of operating room, Fiberoptic intubation through supraglottic airway, Needle cricothyrotomy, Pediatric difficult airway, Predictors of difficult intubation, Predictors of difficult mask ventilation, Stridor, Supraglottic airway, Video laryngoscopy.