Airway management and neuromuscular block: What are we waiting for?

Airway management is an essential skill for anesthesiologists. Major complications related to airway management during the perioperative period rarely occur but may be life-threatening. A long mainstay dogma states: “do not use neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) until face mask ventilation has been determined to be possible”. This dogma not only lacks evidence, but could also be harmful for patients. Are we creating unnecessary problems by trying to be safe? Why do we wait before we use NMBAs' effects in our favor whenever difficulties arise? This non-systematic review aims to highlight key moments in anesthetic airway management in which administration of NMBAs play a decisive role in improving patient's safety outcomes.