Extubation Algorithm for Major Neck and Upper Airway Surgery (Preview)

Presented by Laura Cavallone, M.D., Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dear SHANA members,

I would like to share with you the “Extubation Algorithm” that I have developed for major neck and upper airway surgery. I believe it offers a reasonable, pragmatic approach to this high-risk patient population, where early extubation failure may occur in nearly 11% of patients due to postoperative laryngo-pharyngeal edema and airway obstruction.

The “Extubation Algorithm” that is offered for your attention has served me well so far in my practice. Yet, it was developed 2 years ago, and will certainly benefit from your constructive feedback. The recently published  Difficult Airway Society Guidelines for the management of tracheal extubation and ASA Practice Guidelines for Management of the Difficult Airway have both advanced our appreciation...

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