Difficult Airway Care in Neurological Obesity: Current Strategies and Future Directions

Background: Patients with severe neurological obesity are at a significantly higher risk of difficult airway due to anatomical and physiological alterations, presenting critical challenges in clinical airway management. Guided by Benner’s from Novice to Expert framework and Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory, this review examines nursing strategies that enhance both technical competency and patient-centered care in difficult airway management. Methods: Using Benner’s competency domains as an analytical lens, this review examines the impact of obesity on airway physiology, identifies challenges in current nursing practices, and explores the potential of emerging technologies in difficult airway management. Key aspects include airway assessment limitations, nursing intervention gaps, and advancements in technology-driven solutions. Results: Current nursing approaches often lack standardized protocols for assessing and managing difficult airways in this population. The integration of novel techniques, such as artificial intelligence-assisted airway assessment, advanced imaging, and individualized airway management strategies, shows promise in enhancing patient outcomes. Conclusion: Improving difficult airway nursing in neurological obesity requires the development of evidence-based nursing protocols, adoption of emerging technologies, and enhanced training for clinical nurses. Addressing these gaps can significantly improve airway safety and optimize patient care.