Surgically modified airways: What every anesthesiologist should know

SummaryAirway management is an essential skill for both anesthesia and intensive care physicians. There are well known anatomical changes that alert physicians of a potentially difficult airway. However, there are multiple possible alterations of airway anatomy as a result of either disease, surgical procedures, or both. Familiarity with the unique characteristics of a surgically modified airway is important for safe practice. In this paper, we will summarize a variety of surgical airways and their specific differences from normal anatomy as well as the diagnosis and management of common surgical airway emergencies.