[Anesthesia for a cervical myelopathy patient with tracheal stenosis]

A 71-year-old male with cervical myelopathy was scheduled for C 3-7 laminectomy. Once he had been rejected of general anesthesia in other hospital because of his tracheal stenosis. The diameter of the narrowest part of his trachea was 5 mm probably resulting from tracheostomy at 2 years of age. His cervical myelopathy seemed to be no problem for anesthesia induction because he had no problems in his neck movement and opening mouth. We evaluated his tracheal stenosis carefully using bronchofiberscopy, chest X-ray, computed tomography and pulmonary function tests. After intravenous fentanyl 100 micrograms and midazolam 2.5 mg, it was impossible to ventilate the patient. Therefore, tracheal intubation was performed immediately after lidocaine administration into the trachea. During surgery, tracheal tube dilated the narrowed portion. After surgery, the tracheal tube was removed under bronchofiberscopic observation without any problems. Tracheal stenosis was observed by chest X-ray after surgery, but he had no complaints.