Guidelines for Complications of Cancer Treatment Vol VIII Part B

3. Difficult tracheal intubation: (a) Tracheal intubationrequires multiple attempts, in the presence or absence oftracheal pathology.4. Failed intubation: (a) Placement of the endotracheal tubefails after multiple intubation attempts.Evaluation of the Airway1. History- An airway history should be conducted,whenever feasible, prior to the initiation of anestheticcare and airway management in all patients. The intentof the airway history is to detect medical, surgical, andanesthetic factors that may indicate the presence of adifficult airway (suggestive evidence)2. Physical Examination- An airway physical examinationshould be conducted whenever feasible, prior to theinitiation of anesthetic care and airway management inall patients. The intent of this examination is to detectphysical characteristics that may indicate the presenceof a difficult airway. (suggestive evidence)3. Additional Evaluation- Additional evaluation may beindicated in some patients to characterize the likelihoodor nature of the anticipated airway difficulty. (suggestiveevidence)Components of the Preoperative Airway PhysicalExaminationAirway ExaminationComponentLength of upper incisorsRelation of maxillary andmandibular incisors duringnormal jaw closureNonreassuring FindingsRelatively longProminent “overbite”(maxillary incisors anteriorto mandibular incisors)63