Title
Combined use of a videolaryngoscope and a flexible bronchoscope for awake tracheal intubation when front-of-neck airway is not an option
Document Type
Case Report
Department
Anaesthesia; Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Abstract
We report a case of successful tracheal intubation with the combined use of a videolaryngoscope and flexible bronchoscope in a patient with difficult airway when both techniques had individually failed. A 35-year-old man presented with airway obstruction due to massive neck swelling causing hypoxia, stridor and respiratory distress. He had a history of oral cancer which had been resected with bilateral neck dissection and free flap reconstruction 2 months previously. Due to extensive anterior neck swelling, we judged that front-of-neck airway would not be a suitable approach. After unsuccessful attempts at awake tracheal intubation with videolaryngoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy separately, we combined both techniques with a successful outcome. By using a combined technique to address the specific problems presented by this case, a life-threatening emergency was resolved. This case highlights why it is useful for anaesthetists to be familiar with multiple techniques to awake tracheal intubation, both individually and in combination.
Publication ( Name of Journal)
Anaesthesia Reports
Recommended Citation
Khan, M. F.,
Shamim, F.,
Slote, M. U.,
Salim, B.,
Abbas, S. A.
(2021). Combined use of a videolaryngoscope and a flexible bronchoscope for awake tracheal intubation when front-of-neck airway is not an option. Anaesthesia Reports, 9(1), 12-15.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_anaesth/408