Management of the difficult airway in emergency medicine: A scoping review of risk factors, techniques and care structures

Abstract Background: Difficult airway management is among the most critical tasks in emergency medicine. Anatomical abnormalities, physiological instability, situational constraints, available equipment and organisational structures may all affect airway management. This scoping review aimed to map the evidence, identify major research themes and describe gaps in emergency difficult airway care.

Methods

MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL and Google Scholar were searched on 29 November 2024, supplemented by reference-list screening. An update on 3 September 2026 covered publications from 30 November 2024 onwards. Eligible reports addressed difficult airway management in real or simulated emergency settings, including adults and children, training, specialist teams, prediction models and resources. Study selection and data charting were performed by one author. Evidence was mapped descriptively across six thematic categories. No meta-analysis or formal critical appraisal was performed.