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Avoiding a wrapped endotracheal tube in laser laryngeal surgery: Experiences with apneic anesthesia and metal laser‐flex endotracheal tubes
Author(s) -
Hawkins Donald B.,
Joseph Mary M.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-199012000-00006
Subject(s) - endotracheal tube , medicine , tube (container) , flex , laser , surgery , anesthesia , laser surgery , intubation , materials science , optics , physics , composite material , telecommunications , computer science
Ninety‐one laser laryngeal procedures using the apneic technique of anesthesia were performed in 28 patients between 2 months and 64 years of age. Seventy‐two procedures (79%) were performed on children and 19 on adults. There were no complications. Eight laser laryngoscopies were performed using a new metal Laser‐Flex® endotracheal tube. Obstruction of the endotracheal tube with a mucous plug occurred in one case. The apneic technique described in this paper provides a laser operative field free of an endotracheal tube, virtually eliminating the danger of a laser fire. It is a relatively safe and effective means of performing laser laryngeal surgery. In addition, the Laser‐Flex endotracheal tube appears to be an acceptable alternative to a metallic tape‐wrapped endotracheal tube.