When a highly contagious disease is suspected, medical personnel shall use all forms of respiratory protection in addition to the usual hygiene and protection measures.

If there is a positive history, appropriate predictors, or other indications of an anticipated difficult laryngoscopy, difficult intubation, or difficult mask ventilation, the patient shall be informed about airway management while maintaining spontaneous breathing as part of the anesthesia consultation.

Each airway management procedure shall be documented, with detailed information on any difficulties encountered.

The Cormack and Lehane classification shall also be used for video laryngoscopy and documented in the anesthesia record.

Tube size, cuff pressure, depth of intubation, placement of a throat pack, and special head positions should be documented to ensure retrospective and unambiguous understanding of the chosen procedure.

After difficult airway management, the circumstances and procedures used to resolve the problem shall be documented in the anesthesia record.

Once the airway is secured, the correct position of the endotracheal tube or SGA shall be verified by capnography.

Auscultation of the chest shall be performed to rule out a tube position that is too low. In a noisy environment or when auscultation is not possible, pleural sliding can be detected by sonography.

After placement of both an endotracheal tube and an SGA, the cuff pressure shall be checked and adjusted if necessary.

Predictors of difficult reintubation shall be identified before extubation. A clear strategy for potential problems should be defined.