The Difficult Airway

Pre-existing respiratory compromise and some conditions like the brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome can make airway management challenging in small animal anaesthesia. Increased vigilance following premedication and after tracheal extubation is required. 

The first module aims to provide practitioners with the information needed to optimise preparation, equipment, time line and sequence of events during induction of anaesthesia and recovery in those cases. The second module focuses on anaesthetic safety of brachycephalic dogs and on the measures that can be implemented to reduce their risk of death. 

After successful completion of this course, you will:

Module 1

• To be able to identify clinically upper airway obstructions and identify the cases in which airway management could be challenging
• To discuss the physiology of pre-oxygenation
• To be familiar with the equipment commonly used in airway management
• To be familiar with the methods available for supplemental oxygen administration
• To outline anaesthetic strategies for respiratory obstructions
• To be able to propose a general management to implement in the clinics

Module 2

• To know the anatomic features of the Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) and understand their consequences in anaesthesia
• To be able to recognise the critical time points of the anaesthesia of the brachycephalic patient
• To be able to list the minimum equipment necessary to perform brachycephalic sedation and anaesthesia

Tutor: Mathieu Raillard, DVM MANZCVS Dip. ECVAA