Emergency airway management with fiberoptic intubation in the prone position with a fixed flexed neck

Anesth Analg. 2008 Nov;107(5):1704-6. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181831e2e.

Abstract

We describe emergency airway management with fiberoptic intubation in a patient in the prone position with her neck flexed by a head pin holder during a neurosurgical procedure. Laryngeal mask airway is suggested in emergency difficult airway algorithms; however, this was not feasible in this patient because of her edematous upper airway and limited mouth opening resulting from extreme neck flexion by a head pin holder. The case illustrates the role of fiberoptic intubation in emergency airway management in this critical situation. Maneuvers to facilitate fiberoptic technique are also described.

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / etiology*
  • Airway Obstruction / therapy*
  • Emergencies
  • Fiber Optic Technology*
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / adverse effects*
  • Laryngeal Masks / adverse effects
  • Larynx
  • Neck
  • Posture
  • Prone Position
  • Respiration, Artificial / adverse effects
  • Tracheotomy / adverse effects