MANAGEMENT OF CRISES DURING ANESTHESIA AND SURGERY. PART VI: DIFFICULT INTUBATION

Abstract

Difficult intubation occurs relatively commonly in association with general anaesthesia. Its true incidence is unknown but is estimated to be 1–3%. Approximately half of all cases are not predicted1. A difficult intubation can be anticipated in a number of circumstances including a previous history of difficulty with intubation, syndromes known to be associated with difficulty to intubate, and some pathoanatomical states involving the head and neck region.