Airway Management in Pregnancy

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review highlights the current evidence on airway management in obstetric patients, with a focus on clinical strategies to minimize the use of general anesthesia when possible.Recent FindingsDifficult intubation in the obstetric population remains an ongoing concern, with an incidence of 1:50. Risk factors for difficult intubation include obesity and abnormal airway anatomy. An obstetric specific difficult airway algorithm was created to help mitigate associated morbidity. Successful conversion of labor epidural analgesia into surgical anesthesia for cesarean delivery involves careful management of labor epidurals and the utilization of suitable local anesthetic solutions. Providing early epidural analgesia in appropriate patients is another critical measure to help minimize the need for general anesthesia.SummaryDifficult and failed intubations remain a critical concern in the obstetric population. Emphasis should be placed on identifying at risk patients to guide preparedness and minimize the need for general anesthesia.
Source: Current Anesthesiology Reports - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research