Difficult Airway with Anesthesia

Difficult Airway with Anesthesia 


During your anesthesia, the anesthesia doctor, also called an anesthesiologist, found that you have a difficult airway. This means that there were problems keeping your airways open with a face mask or breathing tube when you had anesthesia. This can happen because of your throat shape and structures, tissues at the back of your mouth, swelling, or other factors.

Image of the respiratory system

Be sure to tell your doctors

There may be no signs that you have this condition, so you need to tell health care providers who treat you in the future. You will be given a wallet card to carry with you that identifies you as having a difficult airway. It will have an Ohio State Wexner Medical Center phone number to call in case of an airway emergency. There will also be a brief description of your condition. Carry the card with your driver’s license or other identification card at all times.

Be sure to tell your doctors and dentist that you have a difficult airway in case you need to have surgery or have breathing problems. Also, be sure to share the card any time you come to the hospital or clinic for care.  

During your hospital stay 

You will have a blue armband that alerts staff that you have a difficult airway, in case you have airway problems while you are in the hospital. Talk to your doctor or others on your care team if you have any questions or concerns. 
 

© 2012 – October 5, 2023, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 

This is for informational purposes only. For more health information, contact the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or health-info@osu.edu.