High Flow Nasal Cannula: A Game Changer in Airway Surgery

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) delivers humidified oxygen at high flow. Its use during airway procedures has many advantages. The study was done to determine the duration of apnea time, safety and compatibility with laser, while using HFNC during airway procedures. A prospective study was done at a tertiary care hospital between March 2017 and August 2017 on 16 patients. HFNC was used during airway surgeries for various pathologies. There were 11 males and 5 females. The patient age ranged from 4 days to 28 years. HFNC provided an unobstructed view of the surgical field, laser could be used safely, there was an increase in the apnea window, and post-operative symptoms like throat irritation and cough were infrequent. Usage of HFNC provides an unobstructed view of the surgical field and reduces post-operative discomfort. It helps in difficult airway situations by optimizing oxygenation and increasing the apnea time.