Awake fibreoptic nasotracheal intubation in a patient with limited mouth opening

ABSTRACT

Awake fibreoptic nasal intubation was used in the management of a 35 years old woman with severe limitation in mouth opening. intubation, using this technique, facilitated examination of the oral cavity under general anesthesia to delineate the cause of the defect and later on the definitive surgical correction of the oral abnormalities. Patient cooperation, sedation and local analgesia are needed for optimal. results. Inherent limitations of the technique limits its use in patients with difficult intubation under general anesthesia. Adequate pre-intubation oxygenation, for a minimum of 3 minutes, and experience of the operator are essential factors to limit the intubation time and hence, avoid hypoxia