Seldinger technique for nasal intubation: a case series

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Emergency Medicine
• Critical Care

Background:

• Nasotracheal intubation presents challenges, particularly in patients with atypical airway anatomy.
• Standard techniques can be traumatic and difficult to perform in these complex cases.

Observation:

• A novel technique utilizing an endotracheal tube introducer (bougie) with the Seldinger technique was employed for nasotracheal intubation.
• This approach was applied in three cases involving patients with challenging nasal and laryngeal anatomy.

Findings:

• The bougie-assisted Seldinger technique facilitated successful and atraumatic nasotracheal intubation in all three cases.
• This method effectively navigated narrow nasal passages, restricted pharyngeal spaces, and acute laryngeal angles.
• Crucially, the technique avoided transoral manipulation of the endotracheal tube.

Implications:

• This technique offers a valuable, minimally invasive option for nasotracheal intubation in difficult airways.
• It leverages existing skills and equipment, making it readily adaptable in various clinical settings.
• The described method holds potential for improving patient outcomes and reducing procedural complications in emergency and critical care scenarios.