A review of the literature found that it supported the principles and applicability of both these algorithms. Logical Plans A, B and C were, in turn, formulated based on Mason et al’s( 2) algorithm for AAO. The ASA’s difficult airway algorithm provides guidelines for both anticipated and unanticipated cases, but lacks specific guidelines on the management of AAO.( 4) Therefore, this article analysed the generic basic management choices of these guidelines, and extrapolated the choices and reasoning to be applied to AAO use. The Difficult Airway Society’s algorithm for unanticipated difficult airway specifically excludes patients with AAO of the upper airway.( 5) This is partly due to the fact that most cases of AAO are anticipated and require complex airway management strategies. Major airway complications occur for many reasons, including poor airway assessment, failure to create a strategy and failure to plan for failure.( 3) Some of these reasons are considered preventable. The article focuses on causes of AAO in the adult surgical patient relating to an underlying pathology.
