Anesthetic management for emergency tracheostomy in patients with head and neck cancer: a case series
10.17245/jdapm.2022.22.6.457
- Author:
Ci Young KIM
1
;
Seongji CHO
;
Seung-Hwa RYOO
Author Information
1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
2022;22(6):457-464
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that is commonly used to treat upper airway obstruction. In particular, patients with head and neck cancer may require elective or emergency tracheostomy because of airway obstruction due to massive bleeding of the intraoral tumor mass and rapid growth of the tumor mass in the neck area.Here, we report four cases of tracheostomy in patients with head and neck cancer with narrowed airway space and difficulty in breathing. Based on these cases and a literature review, we recommend that oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental anesthesiologists should cooperate closely and determine the appropriate timing to perform definitive airway management for such patients during palliative treatment, along with continuous evaluation of tumor location, risk of recurrence, and airway involvement.
