Abstract:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome‐CoronaVirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the virus responsible for the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is highly contagious. Anesthesiologists, critical care physicians and inhalation therapists, often responsible for managing the airway of patients in respiratory distress or presenting for surgery, are subjected to a high viral load and an increased risk of contracting the virus. Since airway instrumentation is a highly aerosol generating procedure, countries that were first and mostly affected by the novel coronavirus have used their personal experience to establish recommendation guidelines for airway management in order to decrease the disease burden. Moreover, as the pandemic evolved and became a global health emergency, the classical practice of anesthesiology needed to be modified and adequate preparation of all involved healthcare workers became essential. This review describes the stepwise approach to airway management in the known or suspected COVID-19 patient presenting to the operating room. It illustrates the practice modifications that were implemented at the American University of Beirut Medical Center to accommodate the challenges imposed by the pandemic. Adequate anticipation and proper training, emerged as key factors in mitigating the risks in a resource strained country. © 2020, American University of Beirut. All rights reserved.
