Successful use of C-MAC® video laryngoscope following failure of multiple intubation attempts during laryngomicroscopic surgery in an infant: A case report

A 6-month-old boy was scheduled for a laryngeal mass excision and tracheal bougienage for secondary subglottic stenosis. Following successful excision of the laryngeal mass, a tracheal tube was temporarily extubated for tracheal bougination. However, tracheal re-intubation using a direct laryngoscope with the Miller blade failed because of mucosal swelling and bloody secretions. Following multiple intubation attempts, the patient's peripheral oxygen saturation had decreased to 52%. Immediately, a video laryngoscope was requested, and, by using the C-MAC® video laryngoscope, the patient was successfully re-intubated. Because pediatric patients are more vulnerable to desaturation, extreme caution should be used in securing airways even during a short apneic period. Using a video laryngoscope at the first intubation attempt would be useful for successful tracheal intubation.

Successful use of C-MAC® video laryngoscope following failure of multiple intubation attempts during laryngomicroscopic surgery in an infant: A case report

A 6-month-old boy was scheduled for a laryngeal mass excision and tracheal bougienage for secondary subglottic stenosis. Following successful excision of the laryngeal mass, a tracheal tube was temporarily extubated for tracheal bougination. However, tracheal re-intubation using a direct laryngoscope with the Miller blade failed because of mucosal swelling and bloody secretions. Following multiple intubation attempts, the patient's peripheral oxygen saturation had decreased to 52%. Immediately, a video laryngoscope was requested, and, by using the C-MAC® video laryngoscope, the patient was successfully re-intubated. Because pediatric patients are more vulnerable to desaturation, extreme caution should be used in securing airways even during a short apneic period. Using a video laryngoscope at the first intubation attempt would be useful for successful tracheal intubation.

A Case of Successful Use of C-MAC® Video Laryngoscope in ‘Cannot Ventilate’ Situation Due to Unexpected Severe Narrowing of Laryngeal Inlet

Although many factors associated with difficult intubation have been known, predictors of difficult mask ventilation are not well known. We experienced a case of nearly complete airway obstruction following usual anesthetic induction which needed various emergency treatments. The patient had a preoperative diagnosis of contact granuloma of right posterior vocal cord and bilateral vocal cord palsy but later was found out as invasive laryngeal cancer. Upon the surgical field of view, both vocal cords were showing significantly thickened and fixated appearance and was considered as in the critical narrowing state with the potential of complete obstruction. Using C-MAC® video laryngoscope we were able to see the narrowed vocal cord and choose proper size of endo-tracheal tube. Consequently, intubation was successfully done and operation was conducted. From this case, we have lessons that physicians should examine the patient's airway more carefully in case of laryngeal mass and prepare emergency measures.