Podcast 142 – Airway Things I Learned from George Kovacs at the NYC Airway Course - a podcast by Scott D. Weingart, MD FCCM

Post Three of Janu-Airway

I just finished teaching at one of the best airway courses I have ever participated in (well actually, it's been a few months now). The highlight of the course was meeting Prof. George Kovacs. He has been obsessed with airway for decades. I picked up a number of great tips from him and I'm sharing those tips with you today.

Anesthesia for Awake Intubation

See this lecture to understand the intricacies of Awake Intubation



* EZ Atomizer



* George uses 15 ml of Lidocaine 4% in the EZ atomizer





* 5% Paste on a Tongue Depressor

* 10% lidocaine would be wonderful to spray down the cords (not available in USA)



EZ100m Disposable Atomizer

Not Seating Fully in the Vallecula



The Move: Lift the Head



Bagging Grip

Underhand grip, like you are holding a football





How to Build Direct Laryngoscopy Muscles

Residents don't lift enough



Two-Hand Lift



Lock and Load and Potato Sacks



the following video demonstrates all of the best-look laryngoscopy techniques we have discussed thus far:





VL/Long Scope Combo and the Triple Set-Up



* Video Laryngoscope

* Fiberoptic Scope

* Surgical Airway Supplies



Effect of Dynamic Versus Stylet-Guided Intubation on First-Attempt Success in Difficult Airways Undergoing Glidescope Laryngoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.  Anesth Analg. 2019 Mar 7. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000004102.

How to ask for In-Line Stabilization



* Take Off the Collar!

* Ear-Muffs Approach to prevent obstruction of jaw mobility





Automation Addiction

The FAA Report and its ramifications for Crit Care Airway Management

Want More from George?



* Procedural Skills in Medicine (pdf)

* George's Talk on Human and Psychological Factors in Airway Management From EM London

* Airway in a Minute Videos on George Kovacs Youtube Channel

* AIME Airway Site

* Airway Management in Emergencies Monograph

* George's EMCrit Guest Post on Antifragility

Further episodes of EMCrit Podcast

Further podcasts by Scott D. Weingart, MD FCCM

Website of Scott D. Weingart, MD FCCM