Revue médicale de la Suisse romande
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The obstetrical population is prone to difficult or failed intubation. Control of the airway is complicated by several factors specific to obstetric anesthesia: time of apnea is short due to a reduced functional residual capacity and pregnancy-induced hypertension and obesity are relatively frequent; anesthetist's skill can also be mentioned. ⋯ Each anesthetist must keep an algorithm in mind, should a difficult or failed intubation in obstetrical patient occur. Whichever method is used (ventilation through a facial mask or laryngeal mask, transtracheal oxygenation), the anesthetist must never forget that the first priority is always the safety of the mother.