Management of a Patient With Tracheal Stenosis After Previous Tracheotomy

Tracheal stenosis after tracheotomy can cause difficult airway management and respiratory complications. It is difficult to predict tracheal stenosis after tracheotomy based on a patient's symptoms as the symptoms of tracheal stenosis appear only after they become severe. In patients with a history of previous tracheotomy, it is important to consider the risk factors for tracheal stenosis. Detailed preoperative evaluation of patients with a history of previous tracheotomy is essential and should include 3-dimensional assessment of the airway. We report the preoperative assessment and perioperative management of an 83-year-old woman at high risk for tracheal stenosis due to a previous emergency tracheotomy who was scheduled to undergo general anesthesia for a right maxillectomy for squamous cell carcinoma. Preoperative anteroposterior chest radiograph revealed findings indicative of tracheal stenosis. Additional detailed examinations of the stenotic area were conducted with computed tomography imaging and bronchofiberscopy. General anesthesia with nasotracheal intubation was performed, and although there were no adverse intraoperative events, stridor after extubation was observed. Nebulized epinephrine was administered via an ultrasound nebulizer and effectively improved the patient's postoperative transient dyspnea.

Providing one-lung ventilation in posttracheostomic tracheal stenosis for thoracoscopic plastic of the right diaphragm dome

The article is devoted to the consideration of a clinical case of providing artifcial one-lung ventilation for performing thoracoscopic plastic of the right dome of the diaphragm in a patient with grade 3 posttracheostomy cicatricial tracheal stenosis. The patient is presented after a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 from 2020, prolonged mechanical ventilation through a tracheostomy tube (74 days), the development of medium thoracic cicatricial tracheal stenosis of grade 3 (the lumen of the narrowest part of the trachea is 4 mm) after decannulation and the development of relaxation of the right dome of the diaphragm (according to CT data, the dome is located at the level of the IV intercostal space). The frst stage under conditions of combined general anesthesia and high-frequency ventilation of the lungs was performed to restore the lumen of the trachea by bougienage of the stenosis area with tubes of a rigid endoscope under the control of a fberoptic bronchoscope with further nasotracheal intubation with a thermoplastic single-lumen endotracheal tube with a diameter of 8.0 with a cuff. At the second stage, during thoracoscopic plastic of the right dome of the diaphragm, to provide artifcial one-lung ventilation, a bronchial blocker was used, introduced through the same endotracheal tube into the right main bronchus under the control of a fberoptic bronchoscope.

Bilateral tapia syndrome after maxillomandibular advancement surgery

Lesions of the hypoglossal and laryngeal nerve, recurrent in its unilateral or bilateral extracranial pathways, cause a motor deficit in the tongue with transient, partial or total loss of speech, which may be associated with mild or severe dysphagia, characterizing Tapia syndrome. This unusual condition is usually related to airway manipulation during anesthetic-surgical surgery, and few cases in the literature are correlated with maxillofacial surgeries, which partly explains the ignorance of this complication by a significant number of professionals. We describe a case report of bilateral Tapia syndrome established after a procedure for maxillomandibular advancement. This is a 55-year-old male patient diagnosed with retrognatism and retromaxillism. The patient underwent a maxillomandibular advancement with nasotracheal intubation. He evolved with bilateral Tapia syndrome, recovering from the signs and symptoms of this complication, being reoperated to correct aesthetic results obtained in the first intervention that was below acceptable, not evolving after this second surgery with the syndrome. We conclude that preventive measures should be taken, such as avoiding sudden movements in the head region and prolonged hyperextension of the neck during surgery, minimizing the trauma of the tracheal cannula on the tissues covering the hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerves.

Effectiveness and safety of cuff inflation technique over conventional method of Magill forceps for Nasotracheal intubation under direct laryngoscopy: Randomized controlled trial

The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of cuff inflation technique over conventional method of Magill forceps for Nasotracheal intubation NTI under direct laryngoscopy.After taking permission from institutional ethical committee, patients of 18-60 years of either sex of ASA grade I and ll were divided into groups of 40 each. In group C, cuff inflation technique and in group M, Magill forceps technique was used for navigating the endotracheal tube from oropharynx to glottic opening to achieve intubation. Parameters observed were time required for intubation, attempts of intubation, injury occurring to oropharyngeal structures during intubation and hemodynamic parameters. Cuff of endotracheal tube was assessed postoperatively for any leaksAnalysis of the data for the various parameters was done using paired t-test for intra-group comparison and student t-test for intergroup comparison and chi-square test was used for qualitative (non parametric) data.There was no significant difference in demographic parameters, time required for intubation, number of attempts for intubation and hemodynamic parameters, but trauma to oropharyngeal structures was more in group M (8/40) compared to group C (0/40). (p≤0.05) Trauma to cuff of endotracheal tube was seen in group M (1/40) while none in group C (0/40) which was statistically not significant (p≤0.05).Thus, Cuff inflation technique can be used as an effective alternative to Magill forceps for oropharyngeal navigation of endotracheal tube under direct laryngoscopy guided nasotracheal intubation in patients with normal airways.

Comparison of a tube core and Magill forceps for nasotracheal intubation: a randomised controlled trial

Background Magill forceps are frequently used to complete nasotracheal intubation (NTI). We aimed to identify a tube core that could conveniently facilitate the NTI process without using Magill forceps. Methods Sixty patients scheduled for oral and maxillofacial surgeries were enrolled in our study and divided into two groups (30 per group) with no differences with regard to demographic data. In the Magill forceps group (Group M), a wire-reinforced endotracheal catheter was inserted into the trachea using Magill forceps. However, in the tube core group (Group T), a tube core bent to the physiological curve of the nasal cavity and lubricated with aseptic paraffin oil was inserted into the endotracheal catheter and was then withdrawn after the endotracheal catheter was advanced through the glottis under direct vision. Results All NTIs were completed successfully, and Magill forceps were not used on any patient in Group T. There was a significant difference in total NTI time between the two groups (Group M, 59.7 (5.1) s vs Group T, 52.4 (3.1) s). Mild epistaxis was observed in 6 patients in Group M and 5 patients in Group T (6/30 vs 5/30, respectively). No damage to oral tissue or teeth was observed in either group. Conclusions We conclude that using a tube core, consisting of a disposable sterilised stylet, is a convenient choice for NTI. Trial registration Patient enrolment was conducted after registration in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (www.Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR190002 7387). This trial was prospectively registered on 11 November 2019.

Unexpected Anesthetic Circuit Leak Attributed to Improper Use of a Tube Holder: A Case Report

Leaks involving the anesthesia circuit can cause significant complications including hypoxia and hypoventilation. We present a case of a circuit leak caused by damage to the corrugated tubing attributed to improper use of the tube holder. A 58-year-old male was scheduled for resection of a palatal tumor under an intubated general anesthetic. After successful nasotracheal intubation, the anesthesiologist inserted the corrugated tubing of the anesthetic circuit into the tube holder. A leaking sound was heard and a tear in the corrugated tubing was promptly discovered. The corrugated tubing of the anesthetic circuit presumably tore because it was inserted into the groove of the tube holder at an inappropriate angle with excessive force. Anesthesiologists should be aware of potential leaks if the anesthesia circuit is damaged, which may be caused by improper use of tube holders.