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Cervical spine injury can be found in an estimated 5% of blunt trauma patients and poses some specific concerns for the otolaryngologist. Understanding the mechanisms and nature of injuries are essential to manage and minimize secondary spinal cord injury, particularly during intubation, or emergent or planned airway or other surgical procedures. Providers should be able to identify patients with potential cervical spine injury, be familiar with alternative methods of airway management and neck stabilization and have an understanding of basic management of cervical spine injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consideration of the airway is paramount in management of facial fractures in both the acute setting and delayed repair. As experts in laryngotracheal surgery, otolaryngologists often play a key role in airway management in both settings. On presentation, soft tissue edema and prolapse or presence of blood in the airway may complicate placement of an endotracheal tube and may necessitate emergent intervention. During planned fracture repair, surgeons and anesthesiologists must collaborate to determine a precise airway plan due to the inherent conflict of a need for a secure airway and a need for surgical access. It is our goal to review current techniques for securing the difficult airway in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews airway management principles and techniques related to thyroid surgery. This patient population requires a unique preoperative evaluation. Multiple techniques for airway management exist and are utilized on a case-by-case basis. Highlighted in this article are also the special circumstances in thyroid surgery patients in which a difficult airway can present. Adequate preparation for difficult situations is crucial in the management of thyroid surgery patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laryngeal lesions with difficult visualization and access require an alternative approach. Patients with difficult anatomy, anterior glottis, subglottic and upper tracheal lesions can present challenges for the anesthesiologist and surgeon. We describe a technique of ventilating patients through a laryngeal mask airway and passing a flexible bronchoscope with a potassium-titanyl phosphate fiber laser through the laryngeal mask airway for laryngeal and tracheal surgery. There are several advantages to this method, including ease of visualization of airway lesions, wide access for therapeutic interventions, and minimal vocal cord trauma. This technique is an important tool in the management of difficult laryngotracheal lesions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Intubation of the pediatric patient must take into account the differences between the normal adult and pediatric airway. Craniofacial anomalies such as micronathia, macroglossia, and cervical disease must be anticipated before the case. Management of the difficult airway includes familiarization with multiple techniques and devices such as the laryngeal mask airway, bronchoscope, light wand, and Eschmann stylet. Although great advances have been made in nonsurgical airway management, the practitioner must always be prepared to secure a surgical airway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Clinical situations arise in which maintenance of adequate ventilation becomes technically difficult, often either in an emergency setting or perioperatively. The otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon is frequently called upon to provide expertise in airway management. The present article discusses approaches to the patient with a difficult airway. Problems are divided into either acute or elective situations. Algorithmic approaches and specific techniques are reviewed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]