Airway obstruction during general anesthesia in a premature infant suspecting bronchospasm and/or airway malacia: A case report

ABSTRACT

Airway management is challenging during general anesthesia particularly in small infants. Airway obstruction is prone to occur in premature infants during general anesthesia due to several reasons. We report a case of airway obstruction occurred during the induction of general anesthesia in a 2-month-old infant. Several attempts at endotracheal intubation with positive pressure ventilation resulted in repeated patterns of no end-tidal carbon dioxide output after each trial of endotracheal intubation, but it was reappeared after extubation. However, anesthetic induction with self-respiration and gentle assistance with manual bagging led to a successful intubation. This case was explained by hydromechanics in a collapsible premature airway.