Management of the airway in a Covid 19 patient

Abstract

Objective: To collect, review, and discuss updated scientific publications based on the management of the airway in patients with suspected, or diagnosed Covid 19.

Material and methods: For this descriptive theoretical research of a documentary type, a collection, organization, systematization, and analysis of scientific studies from the databases: Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and MEDLINE; between 2019 and 2021, from which 25 studies were included according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: The ineffectiveness of the use of the aerosol box stands out, since it does not reduce the exposure to particles, as well as it increases the intubation times in difficult airways. The video-laryngoscope is again superior by significantly extending the laryngoscopist's "mouth-to-mouth" distance by placing the operator's face above the direct line of sight to the pharynx; and there is no noticeable difference regarding the intubation time that is carried out with conventional laryngoscopes. Oral hygiene practices have proven to be very effective, but the ideal solution to reduce viral load is still under study.

Conclusion: The approach to the airway of the Covid 19 patient has been a great concern; there has been a considerable number of scientific articles on this topic, but such information has remained dispersed; therefore, this study collects, reviews, and talks over these publications, laying the foundations for the authors and domestic researchers, so that they can formulate guidelines that facilitate the health personnel to work together in the same direction.