Premium
Combining the EndoFlex ® tube with fiberoptic bronchoscopy in difficult intubation
Author(s) -
SUGIYAMA K.,
TAKAHASHI N.,
KOHJITANI A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2009.02017.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tube (container) , bevel , intubation , tracheal tube , sedation , bronchoscopy , surgery , stylet , endotracheal tube , propofol , anesthesia , anatomy , mechanical engineering , structural engineering , engineering
We applied a combination technique using the EndoFlex ® tube with fiberoptic bronchoscopy for a 69‐year‐old man presenting with limited mouth opening and neck movement. Awake nasotracheal intubation was performed under conscious sedation with propofol and fentanyl. After positioning the tip of the EndoFlex ® tube in the oropharynx, the fiberoptic bronchoscope was inserted into the tube until the tip reached the bevel of the tube. Anterior flexion of the distal tip of the EndoFlex ® tube facilitated uncomplicated insertion of the tube into the trachea without impingement on the arytenoids. Fiberoptic visualization confirmed that the distal‐tip flexing mechanism of the EndoFlex ® tube corrected the direction of the tube tip anteriorly, allowing entry into the trachea. We present a case where this technique proved valuable for tracheal intubation in a patient with limitations of mouth opening and neck movement.