Combined use of a videolaryngoscope and a flexible bronchoscope for awake tracheal intubation when front-of-neck airway is not an option.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Khan, M. F. Shamim, F. Slote, M. U. Salim, B. Abbas, S. A.
Abstract	Summary 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.
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC7804911&blobtype=pdf
Page Count	4
Volume Number	9
DOI	10.1002/anr3.12091
PubMed Central reference number	PMC7804911
Issue Number	1
PubMed reference number	33490953
Journal	Anaesthesia Reports [Anaesth Rep]
e-ISSN	26373726
Language	English
Publisher	John Wiley and Sons Inc.
Publisher Date	2021-01-13
Publisher Place	Hoboken
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	© 2021 Association of Anaesthetists
Subject Keyword	difficult airway algorithm failed intubation: treatment upper airway anatomy
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine