Continuous education in sedation: Laryngospasm and management of the airway

The goals of procedural sedation (PSA) stretch far beyond providing just sedation and analgesia. Practices need to strive to treat adults and children with dignity, decreasing their anxiety levels, providing adequate pain control, preventing adverse events, while maintaining proper cardio respiratory function. Safety is crucial. Protection of the airway is vital to ensure patient safety. In dental sedation, the airway is usually shared by the sedation practitioner and the dentist. Understanding the importance of the airway and a basic knowledge of the anatomy are necessary. Protecting the patient against hypoxia is crucial. This article will review critical aspects of laryngospasm (a form of airway obstruction), which may threaten patient safety, and will discuss how to rescue the patient during dental sedation.