[Awake fiberoptic intubation]

Abstract

Airway management is a core task for anesthesiologists. Deficiencies in training or equipment as well as fateful complications in this field are responsible for a significant proportion of anesthesia-associated morbidity and mortality. Nowadays there are a variety of advanced technical aids on the market to overcome the difficult airway. Nevertheless, the "cannot intubate cannot ventilate scenario" still occurs and regularly results in poor outcome, such as permanent neurological deficits or even death. Therefore, awake fiberoptic intubation remains the gold standard in the expected difficult airway because when applied correctly this technique never leads to a point where a patient's respiration is compromised as a result of medical measures before a secure airway has been established.