FOI

Medical abbreviation · Anesthesia

FOI
Stands forFiberoptic intubation
CategoriesMedical

FOI stands for Fiberoptic intubation, an anesthesia abbreviation.

Intubation using a flexible bronchoscope, usually with the patient awake and the airway numbed with local anesthetic, so the tube can be guided through the vocal cords while the patient keeps breathing. It is the classic technique for predicted difficult airways such as limited mouth opening, unstable necks or airway tumors.

Example: Awake FOI with topical lidocaine and dexmedetomidine sedation; tube position confirmed by scope.

Usage notes

Also called awake fibreoptic intubation (AFOI) or flexible scope intubation. Keeping the patient awake preserves spontaneous breathing and airway tone, providing a safety margin if things go wrong. Video laryngoscopes now handle many airways once reserved for fiberoptic technique.

More anesthesia abbreviations

  • CSE – Combined spinal-epidural
  • DL – Direct laryngoscopy
  • eFONA – Emergency front-of-neck access
  • ESP – Erector spinae plane (block)
  • EtCO2 – End-tidal carbon dioxide
  • ETT – Endotracheal tube
  • GA – General anesthesia
  • GETA – General endotracheal anesthesia
  • ISB – Interscalene brachial plexus block
  • LA – Local anesthesia (local anesthetic)
  • LAST – Local anesthetic systemic toxicity
  • LMA – Laryngeal mask airway

See all 34 anesthesia abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.