Retrograde Intubation in Patients with Severe Cervical Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Combined Technique

ABSTRACT

Occurrence of cervical spineankylosis is rare, and intubation of patients with this condition can be difficult, particularly when fiberoptic laryngoscopy is not available. We performed successful endotracheal intubation in a 64-year-old male patient using a 7-mm cuffed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube with the help of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The LMA was initially used for rapid ventilation of the patient, and the guide wire was passed into the airway from the site of puncture of the cricothyroid membrane. This wire was easily observed in the LMA tube, and the use of long forceps was not required.