Airway instruments

Dr. Amr Marzouk Mohamed

Assistant lecturer of anesthesia

Objectives

• Review airway anatomy

• Review basic airway maneuvers

• Review blind insertion airways

• Review advanced airway techniques

Upper and Lower Airways

Airway Anatomy

• Upper Airway– Pharynx

– Epiglottis

– Glottis

– Vocal cords

– Larynx

• Lower Airway– Trachea

– Bronchi

– Alveoli

– Lung tissue, consisting of lobes and lobules (3 on the right and 2 on the left)

– Pleura

Basic Airway Maneuvers

• ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BASICS

• These skills should be used prior to initiating any advanced airway technique– Head-tilt/chin lift– Jaw thrust– Modified jaw thrust (for trauma patients)– Sellick’s maneuver

1.Oropharyngeal Airway

• Size is measured from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw

• Sizes range from 0-6

• It holds the tongue away from the posterior pharynx, but does not isolate the trachea

Oral Airway continued

• The oral airway is inserted with the curve towards the side of the mouth

• Then rotated so that the curve of the airway matches the curve of the tongue

2.Nasopharyngeal Airway

• Soft plastic or rubber tube that is designed to pass just inferior to the base of the tongue

• Passed through one of the nares and can be used in patients with an intact gag reflex

• CONTRAINDICATED in cases of suspected or possible basilar skull fracture

• Sizes range from 17-26 cm in length and 6-9 mm internal diameter

• Measured from tip of the nose to the corner of the patients ear

Nasal Airway continued

• The nasal airway is lubricated with a water soluble lubricant

• The beveled tip is inserted directed towards the septum, with the airway directed perpendicular to the face

• If resistance is met, rotating the airway may help or the other nare may be used

Blind Insertion Airways

• Combi-tube• LMA (Laryngeal

Mask Airway)• King Airway

• Blind insertion airways considered an alternative airway control device to be used when intubation is unsuccessful

• They do not require visualization of the vocal cords

3. Combitube®

Combi-tube• This is a multi-lumen airway that works whether it

is inserted into the esophagus or the trachea• It either blocks the esophagus above and below

the glottic opening or by directly ventilating the trachea

• Contraindicated in patients under 5 foot tall or those under 14 years old, in patients who have ingested caustic substances, patients with esophageal trauma or disease, and in patients with an intact gag reflex

Combi-tube continued

4.Laryngeal Mask Airway

• Sits over the glottic opening

• Available in different sizes

• Has a drain tube to aid in gastric suctioning

• With some versions an endotracheal tube may be passed through to aid in intubation

LMA Positioning

Advanced Airways

• Orotracheal Intubation

• Nasotracheal Intubation

• Digital Intubation

• Surgical Airways

5.Orotracheal Intubation• Requires direct visualization of the vocal cords with

the use of a laryngoscope• Completely isolates the esophagus from the trachea• At least two forms of placement verification are

required– Physical assessment (color improvement, equal breath

sounds, absence of gurgling over epigastrim, and direct visualization of tube passing through cords)

– End-tidal CO2 detector

– Esophageal detector device (EDD)

Orotracheal Intubation Procedure• Assemble all needed equipment, while patient is being

ventilated– Choose appropriate ET tube size– Check balloon with 10cc of air– OPTIONAL-Place stylet, stopping approximately ½ inch

short of end of tube– Assemble laryngoscope and check light– Connect and check suction

• Position patient in “sniffing” postion, (neck flexed forward, head extended back, and back of head should be level with or above the shoulders). IMPORTANT-If C-spine injury is suspected have an assistant hold the patient’s head in a neutral position.

Intubation Continued• Pre-oxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen• Insert laryngoscope to right of midline. Move to

midline, pushing the tongue to the left.• Lift straight up on the blade to expose posterior

pharynx.• Identify the epiglottis; tip of curved (Macintosh) blade

should sit in valeculla, (in front of epiglottis), straight blade should slip over the epiglottis. With further, gentle traction, identify trachea and arytenoid cartilages and vocal cords

• Insert ET tube along the blade, into the trachea and advance the tube 1-1.5 inches beyond the cords and inflate the cuff.

Intubation Continued

• Ventilate and watch for chest rise and fall. Listen for breath sounds, over stomach, four lung fields and axillae. (If breath sounds are diminished or absent on left side, indicating a right mainstem intubation, slightly pull tube back and reassess breath sounds).

• Note number on the side of the ET tube at the central incisor and secure the tube.

• Reassess breath sounds, now and any time the patient is moved.

Nasotracheal Intubation

• Can be done blind or with the aid of a laryngoscope.– If done blind, the patient must be breathing.

• Cannot be performed on patients with a suspected basilar skull fracture.

• Can be performed on patients with an intact gag reflex.

6. Intubating LMA

LMA Take-Home Points

• Test cuff before use

• Don’t lubricate anterior mask

• Insert only in comatose patient

• Keep cuff inflated until patient awake

• Don’t throw out!! Used 40 – 50 times

7.Digital Intubation

• Useful if unable to reach patient well.

• Head manipulation is minimal.

• Performed by physically finding the epiglottis with middle and index fingers, and then sliding the tube interiorly into the trachea.

A. Flexible Fiberoptic Scope

Flexible Fiberoptic Scope

Advantages• Allows direct airway visualization

• Causes little hemodynamic stress

• Nasotracheal or orotracheal route

• Can be done in all age groups

• Requires minimal neck movement

Flexible Fiberoptic Scope

Disadvantages• Expensive

• Expertise requires practice

• Delicate equipment needs careful maintenance

• Visual field easily impaired by blood and secretions

B. Rigid Fiberoptic Scope

Rigid Fiberoptic ScopeBullard Wu Scope

Rigid Fiberoptic ScopeUpsher GlideScope

Levitan Scope Rigid Fiberoptic Scope

Rigid Fiberoptic Scope

Advantages• Direct airway visualization

• Minimal neck movement

• May overcome difficult view

• Useful in disrupted airway

• Durable, sturdy instruments

Rigid Fiberoptic Scope

Disadvantages• Expensive

• Expertise requires practice

• Visual field easily impaired by blood and secretions

• Not readily available

C. Lightwand (Trachlight)

Lightwand (Trachlight)

Lightwand (Trachlight)

Disadvantages• Blind technique

• May damage airway

• Usually requires darkened room

• Expertise requires practice

8.Nu-Trake

• Surgical airways should only be used when all other methods have been exhausted

• It is not intended for children under the age of 5 years old.

Nu-Trake Procedure• Hyperextend the patients neck, if c-spine injury is not

possible, and identify the cricothyroid membrane• Pinch 1 cm of skin and insert scapel blade through

skin, cutting in an outward, upward motion.• Use housing with stylet and puncture membrane at

same angle as the lower edge of the housing.• Aspirate. Easy movement of syringe plunger

indicates proper entry into trachea.• Twist Luer adapter counterclockwise and remove

stylet and syringe.

Nu-Trake Procedures continued• Advance split needles until the housing rests on the

skin. Housing should rock freely to confirm proper insertion depth.

• Inset 4.5 mm airway/obturator assembly into housing. Use palm of hand to advance obturator. DO NOT USE HOUSING WINGS.

• Remove obturator and ventilate patient. Secure housing with twill ties.

• For larger airway, remove 4.5 mm airway and repeat last two steps with 6.0 mm and 7.2 mm airways.

Summary

• Always remember the ABCs, without an airway your patient will not survive.

• There are several ways to manage a patient’s airway.

• Don’t forget the basics, all your patient may need is for someone to open their airway, to start improving.