Although rare, vallecular cysts can have catastrophic consequences in an anaesthetised patient if airway management is inappropriate. We report a case of difficult intubation in a 46-year-old man with a vallecular cyst, and detail the methods and strategies for successful endotracheal tube insertion. Following a review of the current literature, we also discuss airway management options in adult patients with vallecular cysts.
Airway Management ; Airway Obstruction ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Anesthesiology ; methods ; Cysts ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; methods ; Laryngeal Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Laryngoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged

Awake intubation with a flexible fibrescope is usually done electively in patients with a known difficult airway. Herein, we describe the case of an elective awake tracheal intubation that was performed on a patient with a large, obstructive supraglottic mass. The intubation was successfully performed using the Bonfils fibrescope after several failed attempts with a flexible fibrescope. This case highlights the usefulness of the Bonfils fibrescope and the limitations of the flexible fibrescope in certain clinical situations.
Fiber Optic Technology ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Laryngoscopes ; Laryngoscopy ; instrumentation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trachea ; Tracheostomy ; methods ; Wakefulness

Since the first use of the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope, a plethora of new airway equipment has become available. It is essential for clinicians to understand the role and limitations of the available equipment to make appropriate choices. The recent 4th National Audit Project conducted in the United Kingdom found that poor judgement with inappropriate choice of equipment was a contributory factor in airway morbidity and mortality. Given the many modern airway adjuncts that are available, we aimed to define the role of flexible fibreoptic intubation in decision-making and management of anticipated and unanticipated difficult airways. We also reviewed the recent literature regarding the role of flexible fibreoptic intubation in specific patient groups who may present with difficult intubation, and concluded that the flexible fibrescope maintains its important role in difficult airway management.
Airway Management ; methods ; Airway Obstruction ; complications ; Anesthesia ; methods ; Bronchoscopy ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Fiber Optic Technology ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Laryngoscopes ; Manikins ; Obesity ; complications ; Respiratory System ; Skull Fractures ; complications