Experience Summary

Failed intubation and management of the difficult airway is a life threatening emergency. The difficult airway society have released guidance the management of this situation and what is required should a "can't intubate, can't ventilate" situation arise.

Learning outcomes

1. Understand the procedure for managing a "can't intubate, can't ventilate" situation
2. Understand the equipment required to perform an emergency cricothyroidotomy in a thin patient
3. Perform this procedure in a thin neck, with palpable anatomy

External Resources

• Difficult Airway Society Guidelines - Difficult Intubation
• Difficult Airway Society 2015 guidelines for management of unanticipated difficult intubation in adults