Airway Management in out of the Operating Room Environments

Purpose of Review: This review explores the expanding considerations and techniques for airway management of patients in remote settings outside of the operating room (OR). These environments bring various challenges for the patient as well as practitioner and it is essential to proceed safely. Recent Findings: New developments in patient monitoring, oxygen delivery, and airway adjuncts have provided solutions to the many challenges involved in management of the airway in remote environments. These devices and techniques may have had their origins in the operating room but are uniquely applicable to outside locations. Currently, few studies are available but clinical experience is leading the way. Summary: Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in remote locations constitute a significant portion of anesthetic care that is required increasingly for patient management. Given the frequent number of complex patients involved, it becomes necessary to employ the safest and most efficient techniques to accomplish these goals. The goals for airway management continue to be oxygenation and ventilation with the protection from gastric aspiration when at risk.