Luftvejsinstrumenter

Luftvejsinstrumenter, or airway instruments, are medical devices designed to facilitate visualization, access, and management of the human airway from the nose or mouth to the lungs. They are used to secure ventilation, remove obstructions, and perform diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in settings such as anesthesia, emergency medicine, critical care, and otolaryngology. The field encompasses devices that visualize the airway, secure an airway for ventilation, or allow access for suction, drainage, or laser and endoscopic interventions.

Common categories include visualization devices (direct laryngoscopes, video laryngoscopes, and fiberoptic bronchoscopes), supraglottic airway devices (laryngeal mask airways and similar devices), endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes (often with stylets or bougies to aid placement), and airway adjuncts such as oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways. Supporting tools include suction catheters, suction devices, and specialized forceps or scopes used during bronchoscopy or foreign-body removal.

Design and usage considerations include whether devices are single-use or reusable, materials (plastic, silicone, stainless steel), sterilization methods, and the balance between ease of use and patient safety. Proper training and adherence to guidelines are essential, given risks such as airway trauma, infection, aspiration, or misplacement.

Historically, airway management has evolved from direct laryngoscopy to advanced video-assisted approaches and flexible endoscopy, expanding the range of procedures that can be performed safely in diverse clinical settings. Regulatory oversight and professional guidelines govern the procurement, sterilization, and use of luftvejsinstrumenter, ensuring standardization and patient safety.