Awake Fiberoptic Intubation

Awake fiberoptic intubations can be intimidating to perform. They are indicated when a patient is known or anticipated to be a difficult airway, meaning they will be hard to be mask ventilate as well as hard to intubate. This chapter breaks down a successful awake fiberoptic intubation into five components from the teachings of Dr. Jonathan Benumof: psychological buy-in, antisialogogue, topicalization, nerve blocks, and sedation. Finally, it details step-by-step instructions for then performing the intubation. Please note that each of these components can be performed differently depending on the clinical scenario and the provider’s preference. Some providers choose not to provide any sedation and others elect to administer sedation to alleviate anxiety and ensure a more cooperative patient.