[Role of the ORL anesthetist in foreseen or unforseen difficult intubations]

Abstract

Difficult intubation (DI) is a daily problem in a ENT unit. The place of the ENT anesthesiologist in the management of a DI is both in his own unit and in the hospital as an expert in DI. An anesthesiologist working in a ENT unit should be an expert in techniques allowing to manage intubation and oxygenation in every situations: i.e. fiberscopic intubation, LMA and intubating LMA and transtracheal ventilation. The ENT anesthesiologist may also play a role in the management of a DI in the hospital as an expert, both helping to cope with a difficult airway and teaching airway skills and the value of having a plan before managing any airway.