Author(s)

Adrian Reber

Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital of Zollikerberg, Zollikerberg, Switzerland.

The goal of safe airway management is to maintain a patent airway. Lack of knowledge of the anatomical morphology and changes that may occur in the upper airway during sedation and unconsciousness may lead to critical incidents and hazardous complications. This review focuses on the risks of sedation and analgesia and changes in wakefulness on airway patency in spontaneously breathing patients. Furthermore, key elements of airway management are presented and discussed.

Airway, Analgesia, Anesthetics, Anesthesia, Breathing, Chin Lift, Diagnostics, Emergency, Jaw Thrust, Sedation, Maneuvers, Obesity, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Posture, Sleep

Reber, A. (2016) Airway Characteristics and Safe Management of Spontaneously Breathing Patients: Risks of Sedation and Analgesia and Changes in Wakefulness. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7, 726-735. doi: 10.4236/ijcm.2016.711079.