The Pediatric Airway

2018 ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
Lowell Clark ◽  
Stephen Tomek
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Clinical Application ◽  
Deep Sedation ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Procedural Sedation ◽  
Pediatric Airway ◽  
Airway Patency ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Airway Function ◽  
Specific Responsibility

The practice of procedural sedation involves the use of medications that alter upper airway function and patency because of myoneural suppression of anatomic airway elements. It is the specific responsibility of the sedationist to ensure upper airway patency during conditions induced by pharmaceuticals in which the airway is almost certain to be threatened, if not totally obstructed. Soft tissue collapse during inspiration is modeled by the Starling resistor. Airway protective reflexes may be profoundly disturbed during deep sedation. The sedationist’s knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the upper airway and proficiency in clinical application of airway supportive principles are essential.

Mechanical effects of pharyngeal constrictor activation on pharyngeal airway function

1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel T. Kuna ◽  
Christi R. Vanoye
Keyword(s):  
Axial Force ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Stimulation Frequency ◽  
Airway Patency ◽  
Pharyngeal Airway ◽  
Mechanical Effects ◽  
Airway Function ◽  
Pharyngeal Branch

The mechanical effects of pharyngeal constrictor (PC) muscle activation on pharyngeal airway function were determined in 20 decerebrate, tracheotomized cats. In 10 cats, a high-compliance balloon attached to a pressure transducer was partially inflated to just occlude the pharyngeal airway. During progressive hyperoxic hypercapnia, changes in pharyngeal balloon pressure were directly related to phasic expiratory hyopharyngeus (middle PC) activity. In two separate protocols in 10 additional cats, the following measurements were obtained with and without bilateral electrical stimulation (0.2-ms duration, threshold voltage) of the distal cut end of the vagus nerve’s pharyngeal branch supplying PC motor output: 1) pressure-volume relationships in an isolated, sealed upper airway at a stimulation frequency of 30 Hz and 2) rostrally directed axial force over a stimulation frequency range of 0–40 Hz. Airway compliance determined from the pressure-volume relationships decreased with PC stimulation at and below resting airway volume. Compared with the unstimulated condition, PC stimulation increased airway pressure at airway volumes at and above resting volume. This constrictor effect progressively diminished as airway volume was brought below resting volume. At relatively low airway volumes below resting volume, PC stimulation decreased airway pressure compared with that without stimulation. PC stimulation generated a rostrally directed axial force that was directly related to stimulation frequency. The results indicate that PC activation stiffens the pharyngeal airway, exerting both radial and axial effects. The radial effects are dependent on airway volume: constriction of the airway at relatively high airway volumes, and dilation of the airway at relatively low airway volumes. The results imply that, under certain conditions, PC muscle activation may promote pharyngeal airway patency.

scholarly journals Effect of Head Elevation on Passive Upper Airway Collapsibility in Normal Subjects during Propofol Anesthesia

2011 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Kobayashi ◽  
Takao Ayuse ◽  
Yuko Hoshino ◽  
Shinji Kurata ◽  
Shunji Moromugi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Airway ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Target Concentration ◽  
Airway Patency ◽  
Head Elevation ◽  
Jaw Opening ◽  
Airway Collapsibility ◽  
Upper Airway Collapsibility ◽  
Head Flexion ◽  
Male Subjects

Background Head elevation can restore airway patency during anesthesia, although its effect may be offset by concomitant bite opening or accidental neck flexion. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of head elevation on the passive upper airway collapsibility during propofol anesthesia. Method Twenty male subjects were studied, randomized to one of two experimental groups: fixed-jaw or free-jaw. Propofol infusion was used for induction and to maintain blood at a constant target concentration between 1.5 and 2.0 μg/ml. Nasal mask pressure (PN) was intermittently reduced to evaluate the upper airway collapsibility (passive PCRIT) and upstream resistance (RUS) at each level of head elevation (0, 3, 6, and 9 cm). The authors measured the Frankfort plane (head flexion) and the mandible plane (jaw opening) angles at each level of head elevation. Analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of head elevation on PCRIT, head flexion, and jaw opening within each group. Results In both groups the Frankfort plane and mandible plane angles increased with head elevation (P < 0.05), although the mandible plane angle was smaller in the free-jaw group (i.e., increased jaw opening). In the fixed-jaw group, head elevation decreased upper airway collapsibility (PCRIT ~ -7 cm H₂O at greater than 6 cm elevation) compared with the baseline position (PCRIT ~ -3 cm H₂O at 0 cm elevation; P < 0.05). Conclusion : Elevating the head position by 6 cm while ensuring mouth closure (centric occlusion) produces substantial decreases in upper airway collapsibility and maintains upper airway patency during anesthesia.

Does Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding Have a Long-Term Effect on Nasal and Upper Airway Dimensions?

2020 ◽  
pp. 105566562098023
Author(s):  
Ashwina S. Banari ◽  
Sanjeev Datana ◽  
Shiv Shankar Agarwal ◽  
Sujit Kumar Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Upper Airway ◽  
P Value ◽  
Airway Patency ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Acoustic Pharyngometry ◽  
Nasoalveolar Molding ◽  
Area And Volume ◽  
Group 1

Objectives: To compare nasal and upper airway dimensions in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) who underwent nasoalveolar molding (NAM) with those without NAM during infancy using acoustic pharyngometry and rhinometry. Materials and Methods: Eccovision acoustic pharyngometry and rhinometry (Sleep Group Solutions) was used for assessment of mean area and volume of nasal and upper airway in patients with complete unilateral CLP (age range 16-21 years) treated with NAM (group 1, n = 19) versus without NAM (group 2, n = 22). Results: The mean nasal cross-sectional areas and volume were higher in group 1 compared to group 2 on both cleft ( P value <.001) and noncleft side ( P value >.05). The mean area and volume of upper airway were also significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 ( P value <.05). Conclusions: Nasoalveolar molding being one of the first interventions in chronology of treatment of patients with CLP, its long-term outcome on nasal and upper airway patency needs to be ascertained. The results of the present study show that the patients with CLP who have undergone NAM during infancy have better improvement in nasal and upper airway patency compared with those who had not undergone NAM procedure. The basic advantages of being noninvasive, nonionizing and providing dynamic assessment of nasal and upper airway patency make acoustic pharyngometry and rhinometry a diagnostic tool of choice to be used in patients with CLP.

Jaw thrust can deteriorate upper airway patency

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 583-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Von Ungern-Sternberg ◽  
T. O. Erb ◽  
F. J. Frei
Keyword(s):  
Upper Airway ◽  
Airway Patency

Review of Upper Airway Anatomy and Its Clinical Application

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-13
Author(s):  
Ahmed Zaghw ◽  
Nabil A. Shallik ◽  
Ahmed Fayed El Geziry ◽  
Amr Elhakeem
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Application ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Airway Anatomy

Inspiratory coactivation of the genioglossus enlarges retroglossal space in laryngectomized humans

1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 1595-1604 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Kobayashi ◽  
A. Perry ◽  
J. Rhymer ◽  
B. Wuyam ◽  
P. Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Airway ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Tongue Movement ◽  
Forward Movement ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
Posterior Aspect ◽  
Airway Patency ◽  
Significant Movement ◽  
Tongue Position ◽  
Tracheal Stoma

To investigate the relationship between the electrical activity of the genioglossus (GG-EMG) and associated tongue movement, seven laryngectomized subjects breathing through a tracheal stoma (without pressure or flow change in the upper airway) were studied in the supine position. Tongue movement, with the use of lateral fluoroscopy, and GG-EMG expressed as a percentage of maximum voluntary genioglossal activation were monitored simultaneously during 1) spontaneous inspiration (SI), 2) resistive loaded inspiration (LI), and 3) rapid inspiration (RI). Tongue position during each maneuver was compared with its position during spontaneous expiration. Peak GG-EMG during the three maneuvers was significantly different from each other (SI: 5.4 +/- 1.6, LI: 11.9 +/- 1.8, and RI: 51.6 +/- 9.4 (SE) %, respectively). Associated forward movement of the posterior aspect of the tongue was minimum during SI; however, significant movement was observed during LI, and this was increased during RI. Significant covariance existed between peak GG-EMG and this movement. Genioglossal coactivation with inspiration enlarges the glossopharyngeal airway, particularly in its caudal part. In subjects with intact upper airways, this activation may protect or enhance upper airway patency in an effort-dependent manner.

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