Book contents
- Management of the Difficult Pediatric Airway
- Management of the Difficult Pediatric Airway
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Section 1 Basic Principles, Assessment, and Planning of Airway Management
- Section 2 Devices and Techniques to Manage the Abnormal Airway
- Section 3 Special Topics
- Appendix Airway Management Videos
- Index
- References
Section 3 - Special Topics
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 September 2019
- Management of the Difficult Pediatric Airway
- Management of the Difficult Pediatric Airway
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Section 1 Basic Principles, Assessment, and Planning of Airway Management
- Section 2 Devices and Techniques to Manage the Abnormal Airway
- Section 3 Special Topics
- Appendix Airway Management Videos
- Index
- References
Summary
There are some unique considerations when caring for the airway in infants and small children. They have relatively larger oropharyngeal structures (tongue, tonsils, and adenoids), and a large and floppy epiglottis, which can predispose to upper airway obstruction. A larger occiput may increase the neck flexion observed while in supine position as compared with adults, which can also lead to airway obstruction. The shorter and narrower trachea may increase the risk for tracheal tube malposition after intubation, and has a greater risk for secretions, edema, or foreign body to produce disproportionate negative effects in airflow resistance. Children run the highest risk of problems from stridor and glottic edema because of their smaller diameter airways. Post-extubation stridor incidence ranges from 2% in children having elective surgical procedures to 40% in pediatric trauma and burn victims. Additionally, infants have less physical space in the oropharynx and within the tracheal tube for an advanced bridging technique such as SGA devices and/or airway exchange catheter.
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- Management of the Difficult Pediatric Airway , pp. 161 - 227Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019