Korean J Anesthesiol.  2014 Mar;66(3):237-239. 10.4097/kjae.2014.66.3.237.

Endotracheal tube intubation with the aid of a laryngeal mask airway, a fiberoptic bronchoscope, and a tube exchanger in a difficult airway patient: a case report

• Sung JK
• Kim HG
• Kim JE
• Jang MS
• Kang JM

• KMID: 2092451
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2014.66.3.237

Abstract

A 28-year-old male patient with occipito-atlanto-axial instability underwent a cervical fusion with posterior technique. Post-operatively, the endotracheal tube (ETT) was removed, and the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit. After transfer, an upper airway obstruction developed and reintubations with a laryngoscope were attempted but failed. We inserted a #4 proseal laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and passed a 5.0 mm ETT through the LMA with the aid of a fiberoptic bronchoscope. We passed a tube exchanger through the 5.0 mm ETT and exchanged it with a 7.5 mm ETT. This method may be a useful alternative for difficult tracheal intubations.

Keyword

Airway obstruction; Bronchoscopes; Cervical vertebrae; Laryngeal masks; Spinal fusion; Tube exchanger

MeSH Terms

Adult
Airway Obstruction
Bronchoscopes*
Cervical Vertebrae
Female
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Intubation*
Laryngeal Masks*
Laryngoscopes
Male
Spinal Fusion