ABSTRACT
It is essential to have the skills to assess and to establish a stable airway when managing patients with respiratory failure. Endotracheal intubation is a life-saving procedure commonly performed in the critical care setting. Even under emergent circumstances, proper planning is crucial to ensure optimal outcomes. Poor understanding of anatomy, and a lack of alternative methods or tools when intubating – especially in patients with difficult airways – may prove catastrophic and increase complication rates. The purpose of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with various techniques used in endotracheal intubation and tracheostomies in the intensive care setting.
