Challenges and advances in intubation: airway evaluation and controversies with intubation.

Management of the airway is the first priority in any patient. Dealing with a difficult airway can be a challenge, whether or not it involves facemask ventilation, an intermediate airway device, laryngoscopy and intubation, or a surgical airway. Various scales predict which patient is likely to have a difficult airway. The goal of rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is to eliminate or mitigate untoward reflex responses to intubation. Although controversy has arisen regarding the various steps in RSI, it remains an essential component of emergency medicine practice.