Manual jet ventilation to rescue a patient with pinhole tracheal stenosis: A case report

Background: Airway management of patients with tracheal stenosis is highly challenging and even establishing a surgical airway may be difficult in these patients. Case: A 24 year old female developed pinhole tracheal restenosis after undergoing tracheal web resection and reconstruction. After other modes of ventilation had failed, we used the Manual jet ventilator endotracheal tube assembly as a rescue device and performed intermittent low-frequency jet ventilation until a definitive surgical airway could be established. Conclusion: Central airway obstruction in severe tracheal stenosis can cause life-threatening hypoxia. Jet ventilation through the pin hole opening buys some time for the surgeon to secure the airway.