Annals of Emergency Medicine
Volume 56, Issue 2 , Pages 95-104, August 2010

Emergency Department Management of the Airway in Obese Adults

  • James Dargin, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
    • ,
  • Ron Medzon, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress for reprints: Ron Medzon, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Dowling 1 South, Boston Medical Center, One Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA 02118; fax 617-414-3715

Received 10 September 2009; received in revised form 1 February 2010; accepted 3 March 2010. published online 05 April 2010.

Airway management in obese adults can be challenging, and much of the literature on this subject focuses on elective surgical cases, rather than acutely ill patients. In this article, we review the emergency department evaluation of the airway in obesity, discussing anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. In addition, we describe techniques and devices used to improve intubating conditions in the obese patient. After our review of the relevant literature, we conclude that research in this particular area of acute care remains in its infancy.

 

 Supervising editor: Richard M. Levitan, MD

 Funding and support: By Annals policy, all authors are required to disclose any and all commercial, financial, and other relationships in any way related to the subject of this article that might create any potential conflict of interest. The authors have stated that no such relationships exist. See the Manuscript Submission Agreement in this issue for examples of specific conflicts covered by this statement.

 Earn CME Credit: Continuing Medical Education is available for this article at: http://www.ACED-EMedHome.com.

 Publication date: Available online April 3, 2010.

PII: S0196-0644(10)00228-3

doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2010.03.011

Annals of Emergency Medicine
Volume 56, Issue 2 , Pages 95-104, August 2010