Airway management in post anaesthetic care.

Some patients recovered in the post anaesthetic care unit (PACU) will require airway management and close monitoring to prevent any post operative complications. Ineffective airway management will lead rapidly to hypoxaemia, and will ultimately compromise patient care. This article discusses physiological principles and monitoring of airway management in the PACU, an understanding of which is essential when providing appropriate care for patients emerging from anaesthesia.