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Updated: Oct 2, 2025
The Rigid Tube as an Alternative in Controlling the Problematic Airway
Published on: June 6, 2020
Intubation with a Tritube to avoid peri-operative tracheostomy in open airway surgery
T Y S Leow1, R A B Van der Wal2, H A M Marres1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Background:
This paper reports a case of chondrosarcoma deriving from the left arytenoid cartilage that was resected via an anterior laryngofissure using the Tritube in situ, thus eliminating the need for a (temporary) tracheostomy.
Case Report:
A 49-year-old male with a chondrosarcoma deriving from the left arytenoid was treated with local resection of the tumour through an anterior laryngofissure. The intralaryngeal lumen was too small for a normal endotracheal tube. Using the Tritube (outer diameter, 4.4 mm), the patient could be intubated and ventilated adequately during the procedure. The Tritube did not obstruct the surgical view during the procedure.
Conclusion:
The Tritube can be used for intubation and ventilation even in patients with a very narrow airway lumen, and does not obstruct the field of view during open laryngeal surgery, thereby avoiding the need for peri-operative tracheostomy.
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