Monitored transtracheal jet ventilation using a triple lumen central venous catheter

Two patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, radiotherapy treatment and 'difficult' airways were anaesthetised for oral surgery. A triple lumen central venous catheter was inserted through the cricoid membrane and transtracheal jet ventilation with an AMS 1000 jet ventilator was performed via the distal lumen. The middle and proximal lumens were connected to an airway pressure monitor and a capnograph, enabling breath-by-breath monitoring of ventilation.