Jun 27, 2023 | Clinical Edition

Awake Flexible Intubation: The Down & Dirty

 

Check out the timestamps below to help you navigate through the many topics we discussed.

On This Episode:

In today’s episode, Jeremy & Sass talk about the flexible intubation technique and some troubleshooting tips that may help you while placing an ETT in an awake patient using the flexible intubation scope. Previously known as “fiberoptic intubation,” this is an infrequent anesthesia technique that is still pertinent today!

Also, if you are attending the AANA annual congress in Seattle in August, you can sign up to practice the flexible intubation technique with Jeremy in the Airway Simulation Lab. Details are on the AANA Annual Congress sign-up page: https://www.aana.com/meetings/aana-annual-congress  

Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:

  • A little history related to fiber optic intubation. [spp-timestamp time="3:55"]
  • Why it’s tougher to perform when a patient is under general anesthesia rather than awake. [spp-timestamp time="6:26"]
  • Indications and contraindications of an awake intubation procedure. [spp-timestamp time="7:45"]
  • Setup process and equipment needed. [spp-timestamp time="10:21"]
  • Running through the patient preparation checklist. [spp-timestamp time="14:38"]
  • The hand and wrist movements you need to use during the procedure.  [spp-timestamp time="18:35"]
  • Similarities and differences in oral intubation and nasal intubation. [spp-timestamp time="21:52"]
  • Troubleshooting techniques to utilize if needed. [spp-timestamp time="24:49"]

Check out the interview at the top of the page and use the timestamps to help you navigate through the many topics we discussed.

 

Yeah, so despite it being a rare procedure, awake intubation is still used, and it's still part of every single airway algorithm out there.

Earn MAC Dev Credit by listening to this episode