Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026

The Rigid Tube as an Alternative in Controlling the Problematic Airway
Published on: June 6, 2020
[A Patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome Having Difficulties in Inserting and Placing an Endotracheal Tube under General
Abstract:
A patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome had difficulties in inserting and placing an endotracheal tube under general anesthesia. Klippel-Feil syndrome, characterized by cervical vertebral fusion, scoliosis and endocardiosis, is a rare disease. Anesthesiologists should pay attention to management of anesthesia in airway troubles. A 53-year-old woman diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome was scheduled for general anesthesia with intubation. We tried to insert an endotracheal tube using McGRATH MAC, but it was difficult to insert and place the tube. Finally, we managed to insert a 5.5 mm endotracheal tube. The three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) images after the operation, showed tracheal stenosis at the level of the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae. In cases where airway difficulties are expected, evaluating 3D-CT images might be useful in airway management.
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