What constitutes a difficult airway?

The American Society of Anesthesiologists defines a difficult airway as existing when “a conventionally trained anesthesiologist experiences difficulty with facemask ventilation of the upper airway, difficulty with tracheal intubation, or both.”[1] Canadian guidelines are broader, defining it as where “an experienced …

What is anticipated difficult intubation?

The ASA defines a difficult airway based on either ability to ventilate or ability to intubate9: Difficult ventilation: inability of a trained provider to maintain oxygen saturation greater than 90% using face mask ventilation and 100% oxygen, provided preventilation oxygen saturation was within normal limits.

What are the guidelines for the management of the difficult airway?

Anesthesiology May 2003, Vol. 98, 1269–1277. NA; Practice Guidelines for Management of the Difficult Airway: An Updated Report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Management of the Difficult Airway. Anesthesiology 2003; 98:1269–1277 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/00000542-200305000-00032

When was the ASA report on difficult airway management published?

This document updates the “Practice Guidelines for Management of the Difficult Airway: An Updated Report by the Task Force on Difficult Airway Management,” adopted by the ASA in 2002 and published in 2003. * A standard definition of the difficult airway cannot be identified in the available literature.

Where can I find the ASA practice guidelines?

Address correspondence to the American Society of Anesthesiologists: 520 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068–2573. These Practice Guidelines, and all ASA Practice Parameters, may be obtained at no cost through the Journal Web site, www.anesthesiology.org .

What are the ASA practice guidelines for anesthesiology?

In addition, Practice Guidelines developed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) are not intended as standards or absolute requirements, and their use cannot guarantee any specific outcome. Practice Guidelines are subject to revision as warranted by the evolution of medical knowledge, technology, and practice.