An alternative method for airway management with combined tracheal intubation and rigid bronchoscope

Publication date: Available online 7 February 2019Source: The Annals of Thoracic SurgeryAuthor(s): Francesco Puma, Mattia Meattelli, Miroslawa Kolodziejek, Marina Giuliana Properzi, Rosanna Capozzi, Alberto Matricardi, Lucio Cagini, Jacopo VannucciAbstractAn innovative technique for airway management, utilizing a small diameter, short-cuffed, orotracheal tube for assisting rigid bronchoscopy in critical airway obstruction is reported. The device, part of Translaryngeal Tracheostomy KIT, was placed beyond the stenosis and used in combination with the rigid bronchoscope.This procedure improves safety during the management of critical tracheal stenoses, because the airway is constantly under the anesthesiologist’s control. Consequently, inhalation anesthesia is feasible, use of neuromuscular blockage is possible, end-tidal CO2 monitoring is reliable and the distal airway is protected by blood and debris soilage during the tumor debulking. Surgery is quicker being uninterrupted.
Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Source Type: research