Emergency Department Management of the Airway in Obese Adults

Airway management in obese adults can be challenging, and much of the literature on this subject focuses on elective surgical cases, rather than acutely ill patients. In this article, we review the emergency department evaluation of the airway in obesity, discussing anatomy, physiology, and pharmaco...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of emergency medicine 2010-08, Vol.56 (2), p.95-104
Main Authors: Dargin, James, MD, Medzon, Ron, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anesthetics - administration & dosage
Emergency
Emergency Medical Services - methods
Gastrointestinal Tract - physiopathology
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal
Laryngeal Masks
Laryngoscopy
Lung - physiopathology
Obesity - complications
Obesity - physiopathology
Obesity - surgery
Positive-Pressure Respiration
Posture
Respiration, Artificial - methods
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Summary:Airway management in obese adults can be challenging, and much of the literature on this subject focuses on elective surgical cases, rather than acutely ill patients. In this article, we review the emergency department evaluation of the airway in obesity, discussing anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. In addition, we describe techniques and devices used to improve intubating conditions in the obese patient. After our review of the relevant literature, we conclude that research in this particular area of acute care remains in its infancy.
ISSN:0196-0644
1097-6760
DOI:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2010.03.011