ABSTRACT
Airway management decisions should not be based solely on the patient’s need for
mechanical ventilatory support. Consideration also must be given to the maintenance of
the patient’s airway. Mental status, associated musculoskeletal disorders, and the
amount of pulmonary toilet required all enter into the decision-making process.
Approaches to airway support other than endotracheal tubes (ETTs) or tracheostomy
tubes (TTs) include nasopharyngeal airways (Fig. 1), oropharyngeal airways (Fig. 2),
and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks (Fig. 3). The intensivist must be
familiar with these commonly used airway adjuncts. The laryngeal mask airway is
another alternative (1).
