[High-frequency jet ventilation through a modified stomach tube in endobronchial 192 Iridium irradiation]

A case of sufficient high-frequency jet ventilation with a tip-cut nasogastric tube in a patient requiring endobronchial 192iridium irradiation is described. In order to allow the endotracheal introduction of a bronchoscope together with an 192iridium applicator during anesthesia with mechanical ventilation, the nasogastric tube was used instead of an endotracheal tube for jet ventilation. Using a frequency of 60/min and a fresh-gas flow of 15 l/min, FIO2 = 1.0, normocapnic, normoxemic ventilation could be achieved during the whole procedure. It is concluded that the method can be considered as an alternative in patients with narrow airways, provided that airway-pressure monitoring and bronchoscopy to confirm the position of the tube are employed.