A two-person technique for fiberscope-aided tracheal extubation/reintubation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients

• Published in: Journal of clinical anesthesia Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 467 - 470
• Main Authors: Hagberg, Carin A, Westhofen, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.09.2003; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Airway management; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Critical care; Device Removal - methods; Emergency and intensive care: techniques, logistics; Fiber Optic Technology; fiberoptic bronchoscopy; Hospitals; Humans; Intensive care; Intensive care medicine; Intensive Care Units; Intubation; Intubation, Intratracheal - methods; laryngoscopy; Laryngoscopy - methods; Larynx; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Multiple Trauma; Obesity, Morbid; Ventilation; laryngoscopy; fiberoptic bronchoscopy; Airway management; Case study; Human; Intensive care; Fibroscope; Complication; Endoscopy; Intubation; Technique; Direct laryngoscopy; Trachea; Extubation; Technical equipment
• ISSN: 0952-8180; 1873-4529
• DOI: 10.1016/S0952-8180(03)00102-8

The technique of fiberoptic-aided intubation for management of a difficult airway is often limited in the presence of blood or secretions and conditions in which the passage of a fiberoptic bronchoscope (“fiberscope”) beneath the epiglottis and into the glottic opening may prove difficult. Direct laryngoscopy can be utilized in combination with the fiberscope as a two-person technique to overcome these challenges. We report the usefulness of a two-person technique using the flexible fiberscope in combination with direct laryngoscopy for extubation/reintubation in two intensive care unit patients with known difficult airways.