Management of the difficult airway in the pediatric patient

Intubation of the pediatric patient must take into account the differences between the normal adult and pediatric airway. Craniofacial anomalies such as micronathia, macroglossia, and cervical disease must be anticipated before the case. Management of the difficult airway includes familiarization with multiple techniques and devices such as the laryngeal mask airway, bronchoscope, light wand, and Eschmann stylet. Although great advances have been made in nonsurgical airway management, the practitioner must always be prepared to secure a surgical airway.