The 'dedicated airway': a review of the concept and an update of current practice.

The term 'dedicated airway' was first used in connection with nasal fibreoptic intubations using the cuffed nasopharyngeal airway. Since that time, the concept has developed and the term has been extended to include fibreoptic intubation techniques involving both the laryngeal mask airway and cuffed oropharyngeal airway. 'Dedicated airway' can now be defined as: 'An upper airway device dedicated to the maintenance of airway patency while other major airway interventions are anticipated or are in progress. The device should be compatible with spontaneous and controlled ventilation. 'Dedicated airway techniques allow planned fibreoptic intubations in difficult cases and provide an emergency airway option in an unexpected difficult intubation when the alternative may be to wake the patient. As well as promoting safe conditions for training fibreoptic intubation in general, there is the particular advantage of being able to train using these techniques in patients known to be difficult to intubate. The authors' evolved clinical experiences in promoting the concept and the relevant literature are reviewed.