Strategies for extubation of the difficult airway

Background The extubation failure of difficult airway is relatively high,and often results in serious complications. Objective It is very important to fully examine the airway and formulate safe and reversible extubation strategies before extubation. Content This review focuses on the evaluation of a known or suspected difficult airway and strategies for its extubation. Trend For patients with difficult airway,sufficient and thoroughly airway evaluation is very necessary before extubation.One should be familiar with the algorithms of intubation and extubation of a difficult airway,the techniques of airway exchange catheter and other auxiliary tool for the extubation. Key words: Difficult airway; Extubation failure; Airway exchange catheter