Oxygenation techniques for children with difficult airways

Abstract

It is important for the pediatric airway clinician to maintain oxygenation and avoid trauma when managing a child with a difficult airway. While these two objectives are compatible, it is also known that oxygen therapy can lead to significant harm. This chapter will include a discussion of various forms of oxygenation techniques during pediatric airway management, with an emphasis on avoiding hypoxia during all phases of the perioperative process. Included in this discussion will be mention of the deleterious effects of hypoxemia and hyperoxia, and the potential dangers of some oxygenation techniques.