Failed intubating laryngeal mask airway-guided blind endotracheal intubation in a severe postburn contractured neck patient
Kumar, B.; Vadaje, K.; Sethi, S.; Singh, A.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica 62(2): 95-99
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5164 PMID: 21919377 Document Number: 648592
Securing the airway in patients with severe post burn contracture of the neck is often challenging for attending anesthesiologists. Fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB)-guided endotracheal intubation is considered safe and reliable in this situation. Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway (ILMA) is an alternative in case of FOB unavailability. We report a case of 30 year old female with mentosternal contracture, where the use of ILMA allowed easy ventilation but failed to enable successful ILMA-guided blind intubation despite multiple attempts, the use of recommended Chandey's maneuver and muscle relaxation. Subsequent FOB revealed marked anterior dislocation of laryngotracheal structures, leading to a slippage of the endotracheal tube back to the esophagus.