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Airway Management in Post Chemo radiotherapy Head and Neck Cancer Patients Presenting for Dental Procedures in Ambulatory Setting-Case series

Faisal Shamim, Ausaf Khan and Anum Aijaz

Dental complications of chemo radiation in head and neck cancer patients often require surgical treatment under general anaesthesia. Patients usually scheduled as day care basis that warrants early discharge. Most of these have very limited mouth opening or distorted anatomy of face as a result of previous surgery and radiation. Airway management remains central to perioperative care. The decision whether to manage a patient with anticipated difficult airways in ambulatory care requires a multidisciplinary approach. Many factors will influence this decision including the cause and severity of the airway problem, the type of procedure, the experience of the perioperative staff, and the availability of difficult airway management devices. Patients with head and neck cancer chemoradiation present airway management problems as difficult as any we confront. Our knowledge, skills, and judgment are routinely and rigorously tested in our care of these patients. Present case series highlights some important aspects regarding management of anticipated difficult airways in ambulatory setting.