In cases with an unanticipated difficult airway, retrograde intubation can be used as an alternative procedure for airway management when a fiber optic bronchoscope is unavailable. We here report a case of successful management of an unanticipated difficult airway following a failed intubation in a 34-year-old 54 kg male patient with carcinoma lateral border of tongue using retrograde intubation guided technique. Maintaining oxygenation and minimizing airway trauma should be the priority following a failed intubation. Decisions seeking alternative techniques following failed intubation are easy, if valid and applicable techniques (as per anesthesiologist's skills and available resources) are discussed before induction of anesthesia.
Keywords: airway management; difficult airway; endotracheal intubation; failed intubation; retrograde intubation.