Work

Airway POCUS. Perspectives on clinical usefulness in scanning the airway

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Airway point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has the potential to make airway assessment and planning more accurate and complete. Studies have examined feasibility and usefulness of POCUS to predict and facilitate difficult airway management. This paper presents a brief overview of contemporary POCUS airway applications and current opinion on their place in clinical practice. Despite evidence, infraglottic airway assessment and its potential to improve patient safety remains relatively underused. A case series is presented to illustrate the translation of POCUS training to real life routine and acute practice. For each case, how ultrasound contributed to decision-making, preparedness, and successful management of challenging airways is highlighted. Understanding the airway’s true orientation and midline through imaging helps prevent failed front-of-neck access (FONA) attempts and supports deliberate, safe airway strategies. Wider adoption, structured training, and further research are needed to standardize POCUS airway techniques and evaluate their impact on patient outcomes.

Source: Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology

DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2025.11.007

Authors: L.A. Bruijstens, P. Van de Putte, J. Bruhn, M.S. Kristensen

Institutions: Radboud University Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Center, Imelda Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet

Language: English

Topic: Airway Management and Intubation Techniques

Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,510