airway

As an anesthesiologist and intensivist, the "can't intubate, can't ventilate" situation is one of my worst nightmares. Airway rescue procedures like needle cricothyrotomy are essential to know. This rescue technique can be utilized if...

As an intensivist and cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, bronchoscopy is an incredibly common procedure I perform in the ICU (from in front of the patient) and OR (from behind the patient). A small camera on the...

Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) and tracheostomy tubes have pilot balloons which are inflated to expand a pilot cuff situated within the trachea below the vocal cords. This is termed a "secure airway." If this cuff is...

The COVID-19 era has forced many healthcare workers with no prior experience regarding tracheostomy tubes ("trachs") to learn how to handle them. These airways can be placed surgically or percutaneously at the bedside. In...

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) preoperative fasting guidelines outline a certain number of hours patient should fast based on their last intake (ie, 6 hours for a light meal) The goal is to...

As a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, lung isolation (selectively ventilating only one lung) is an important technique I utilize for pneumonectomies, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries, sternum-sparing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair,...

Although double-lumen endotracheal tubes (ETTs) remain the gold standard for lung isolation for lateralized pulmonary hemorrhage/infection, massive bronchopleural fistulas, or facilitating certain surgeries, my trainees need to understand ALL the available options they have...

I don't consider myself fashionable or "brand aware" by any means, but I do get a chuckle every time I reach for a particular laryngeal mask airway (LMA) - the LMA Supreme™. Makes me...