Definitive airways – Anaesthesia MCQ

Which of the following is not a definitive airway?
A. Tracheostomy
B. Orotracheal tube
C. Nasotracheal tube
D. Laryngeal mask airway

Correct answer : D. Laryngeal mask airway

Double lumen endotracheal tube

Definitive airways

• Definitive airways prevents aspiration of gastric content, allows for control of ventilation and permits delivery of higher concentrations of oxygen.
• They include endotracheal tubes (nasotracheal / orotracheal), tracheostomy and cricothyroidotomy.

Non definitive airways

• They do not protect the patient from gastric aspiration.
• The concentration of oxygen delivered to the patient is lower.
• But they have the advantage of being easier to insert.
• They can even facilitate insertion of definitive airways. (Certain laryngeal mask airways are designed to facilitate insertion of endotracheal tubes.)
• e.g. Laryngeal mask airway, Oropharyngeal airway, Nasopharyngeal airway