Paediatric Airway Obstruction Flashcards
what different features of a paediatric airway are relevant to obstruction
neonates are obligate nasal breathers, they have a relatively large tongue, and have a narrow subglottis
describe how the diameter of the airway effects rate of breathing, and what is this called
it increases work of breathing and airflow resistance
called the Venturi effect
describe how inflammation/infection/asthma tends to cause airway obstruction
increase thickness of lumen and so decrease diameter of lumen
what are some of the causes of airway obstruction
foreign bodies, physical compression, trauma, burn, congenital
what are some the symptoms that can be associated with airway obstruction
cough, choking, SOB, inability to complete sentence, dysphagia
describe what stridor is
high pitch harsh noise due to turbulent airflow resulting from airway obstructions
describe what stertor is
low pitch sonorous sound arising from nasopharyngeal airway
what are some of the signs that can be associated with airway obstruction
stridor, stretor, dusky skin colour, cyanosis(late)
what is usually the cause of obstructive sleep apnoea in children
adenotonsillar hypertrophy
what is the most common cause of airway obstruction in children
foreign bodies being inhaled
what management is recommended for foreign body inhalation in a child
imaging/endoscopy under anaesthetic
what are the different aspects of assessment of a patient with airway obstruction
appearance, work of breathing and skin circulation(esp cap refill in children)
what treatment is common practice for paediatric airway obstruction
ABC(resus),oxygen, heliox, steroid, adrenaline
what different investigations are used for airway obstruction
rigid endoscopy and/or flexible fibre optic endoscopy
exam without ET tube is the best option
what treatment should be avoided at all possibilities in airway obstruction in a child
tracheostomy
