Feasibility of a Supraglottic Airway Device for Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy-A Retrospective Analysis

To determine the feasibility of a supraglottic airway device for transbronchial cryobiopsy in adults.

Retrospective analysis of anesthetic and pulmonary records between March 2015 and August 2016.

Single university medical center.

One hundred thirty-two patients who underwent transbronchial cryobiopsy procedures performed under general anesthesia.

Not applicable.

Failure-free use of a supraglottic airway device was 96.8%. Failure of supraglottic airway device insertion was 3.1% because of impossible placement (n = 1), high oropharyngeal leakage (n = 1), massive bleeding requiring bronchial blocker (n = 1), and acute right heart failure with cardiac arrest requiring resuscitation (n = 1). No serious adverse events due to the supraglottic airway device were observed.

The data demonstrated that transbronchial cryobiopsy under general anesthesia and airway management with a supraglottic airway device was a feasible technique.