[Awake fiberoptic intubation - gold standard for the anticipated difficult airway]

Abstract

Awake fiberoptic intubation seems to continually lose importance in recent years. Alternative options of airway management are coming more and more into the focus of clinical anaesthesia and are moreover advertised specifically for the difficult airway. The concern seems justified that this intubation technique - once the indisputed standard in the management of the anticipated difficult airway - is practised less and less so that especially younger colleagues can hardly gain routine practice. This article aims at counteracting this trend and particularly demonstrates a practical approach. Against this background the equipment is described and tips and tricks are given for execution. The main focus are safety aspects and the success factor of a good topical mucosal anaesthesia, which is of greater importance than a concomitant sedation.