management of upper airway obstruction

Last reviewed 01/2018

Investigations:

• general - based on health of patient
• specific - designed to confirm or deny a probable cause of the obstruction. They should be based on the history, for example, a baby who was born prematurely and now has developed stridor is likely to have subglottic stenosis and this can be confirmed with a lateral neck X-ray

Treatment depends on both the cause of the obstruction and it's severity. A severe upper airway obstruction requires immediate support by oxygen, endotracheal intubation, cricothyroidotomy or even tracheostomy.