Assembling a Difficult Airway Cart/Kit, declaring “Code D”, and issuing an Airway Alert Card for unanticipated difficult airway management proposed by the All India Difficult Airway Association
The All India Difficult Airway Association (AIDAA) guidelines provide a structured framework to ensure safe and effective airway management, with a key emphasis on preparation, timely assistance, and proper documentation. To support these essential elements, AIDAA has introduced a standardised Difficult Airway Cart (DAC), the declaration of "Code D" for summoning trained help, and a dedicated Difficult Airway Alert document for difficult airway management scenarios. Recognising that airway management extends beyond operating theatres, the proposed DAC also suggests a minimal but essential "carry kit." Timely, specific, and reasoned calls for help are encouraged through "Code D" to ensure appropriate personnel respond promptly. Post-event documentation is considered essential, not only for institutional records but also for providing an alert document for future reference. AIDAA's updated recommendations integrate these elements-DAC, Code D, and structured documentation-to improve safety, preparedness, and successful airway management.
Authors
- Sheila Nainan Myatra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6761-163X)
- Syed Mansoor Ahmed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1788-540X)
- Apeksh Patwa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5095-5980)
- Rakesh Garg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5842-8024)
- Pankaj Kundra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5670-7932)
- JesonR Doctor (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1452-9282)
- Jigeeshu V. Divatia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7384-4886)
- Amit P. Shah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9324-4108)
- Sumalatha R. Shetty (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6749-7221)
- Venkateswaran Ramkumar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3450-2135)
Institutions
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (IN)
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University (IN)
- Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre (IN)
- K.S. Hegde Hospital (IN)
- KM Shah Dental College and Hospital (IN)
- Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (IN)
- DR. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IN)
- K S Hegde Medical Academy (IN)
- Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IN)
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (IN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Indian Journal of Anaesthesia
- Published
- 2025-10-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.4103/ija.ija_1110_25
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Airway Management and Intubation Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.38