Emergency operative airway techniques

The otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon must be adept at providing assistance and intervening surgically in airway management when adequate ventilation becomes challenging. A step-wise and logical approach to airway emergencies can prevent poor outcomes. It is therefore important to have both a strong understanding of airway anatomy as well as an armamentarium of strategies or techniques in securing the airway if ones initial approach is problematic. The present article discusses several surgical approaches to the patient with a difficult airway.