The goal of safe airway management is to maintain a patent airway. Lack of knowledge of the anatomical morphology and changes that may occur in the upper airway during sedation and unconsciousness may lead to critical incidents and hazardous complications. This review focuses on the risks of sedation and analgesia and changes in wakefulness on airway patency in spontaneously breathing patients. Furthermore, key elements of airway management are presented and discussed.
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