Module 12
The American Society of Anesthesiologists'
Management
of the Difficult Airway Algorithm
and Explanation-Analysis of the Algorithm
The ASA Algorithm on the
Management of the Difficult Airway
FOLLOW-UP CARE OF A PATIENT WITH A
DIFFICULT AIRWAY
The anesthesiologist should document the
presence and nature of the airway difficulty in the medical
record. The intent of this documentation is to guide and
facilitate the delivery of future care. Aspects of
documentation that may prove helpful include (but are not
limited to): (1) a description of the airway difficulties that
were encountered. If possible, the description should
distinguish between difficulties encountered in mask ventilation
and difficulties encountered in tracheal intubation, or both and
(2) a description of the various airway management techniques
that were employed. The description should indicate the
extent to which each of the techniques played a beneficial or
detrimental role in management of the difficult airway.
The anesthesiologist should inform the
patient (or responsible person) of the airway difficulty that
was encountered. The intent of this communication is to
provide the patient (or responsible person) with information in
guiding and facilitating the delivery of future care. The
information conveyed may include (but is not limited to): the
presence of a difficult airway, the apparent reasons for
difficulty, and the implications for future care. Finally,
the anesthesiologist should strongly consider
dispensing-advising a Medic-Alert Bracelet for the patient
(see Chapter 53).
Additionally, the
anesthesiologist should evaluate and follow the patient for
potential complications of difficult airway management.
These complications include (but are not limited to): airway
edema, bleeding, tracheal and esophageal perforation,
pneumothorax, and aspiration.
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