Peculiarities of the difficult airway in children

Călin Mitre
Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie „Iuliu Haţieganu” Cluj-Napoca, Catedra ATI I

Abstract

The difficult intubation of the trachea in children could be more problematic than in adult due to the anatomic peculiarities of children’s airway and the necessity to use specific equipment adapted to child’s age, the majority of anaesthesiologists are not accustomed with. In case of congenital malformations, the airway management in neonates and infants may be associated with severe complications. Therefore, the preanaesthetic examination of the child is very important and the use of imaging techniques is more frequent than in adult. The devices for the management of the difficult airway, including the new videolaryngoscopes, should be at disposal in each operating theatre.

Keywords: difficult airway, children, congenital malformations, videolaryngoscopes 

J Rom Anest Terap Int 2009; 16: 140-146

Particularităţile căii aeriene dificile la copil