New devices and techniques for airway management

Innovation over the past 25 years in the field of the airway management has led to the proliferation of new and improved techniques and devices. It is important to emphasize that the definition of a failed airway must include the inability to maintain acceptable oxygenation and not only the evidence of unsuccessful laryngoscopy and impossible intubation. We must ask ourselves: is it always necessary to intubate? Is it necessary in all patients? Our answer is absolutely “no. Patients’” oxygenation is the absolute priority, where the choice of whether or not to intubate represents only a technical problem. The existing literature primarily supports the use of the classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for providing effective ventilation and oxygenation; it suggests the use of the intubating LMA as an important rescue device and the use of the Combitube as a well-established emergency airway. The role in managing complex airway problems of many new extraglottic devices has not yet been completely investigated and will likely be better defined in the coming years. The videolaryngoscopes seem to be an interesting and promising option in the field of airway management. Furthermore, the applicability of associated techniques could represent an efficacious strategy to overcome the limitations of the single device by strengthening their capabilities and chances of successful airway management. To date there is no technique found to be effective in every case or that can solve all airway problems. It is not the latest device or the latest technique that can solve an airway management problem, but the operator’s experience and skill with the device and technique that he knows best and uses daily