The Manson-Bahr principle

The Manson-Bahr principle is a guideline in emergency medicine that emphasizes the importance of assessing the airway before trying to insert a tube for breathing (intubation). It states that the condition of the tongue and throat muscles, along with the level of consciousness, determine how easy or difficult it will be to secure an airway. Essentially, if the patient’s airway is obstructed or muscle control is compromised, intubation becomes more challenging, guiding clinicians in choosing appropriate airway management strategies to ensure the patient can breathe safely.