A new modification of anaesthesia mask for fibreoptic intubation in children

We made a paediatric anaesthesia mask suitable for fibreoptic intubation by modifying a commercially available disposable mask with a ventilation port (Vent port) on a side. We added a large fibreoptic port (FO port, 22 mm in ID) in the middle of the mask to allow the passage of all sizes of paediatric tracheal tubes. This FO port was covered with an elastic rubber membrane to allow air-tight fibrescopic manipulation Fibreoptic intubation was performed safely through the FO port under continuous manual ventilation with anaesthetic gases via a Vent port connected to the breathing circuit. We succeeded in tracheal intubation in several infants and children with difficult airway in less than ten min, mainly via the nasotracheal route. This fibreoptic mask provides a safer technique for fibreoptic intubation in patients with difficult airways, especially in infants and small children.