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Tissue expander causing iatrogenic difficult intubation
I A Chadha1, S T Multani, A Chadha
1Department of Anaesthesiology, B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, India.
Anaesthesia
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Transient tracheal intubation difficulties can arise from anatomical issues, sometimes caused by prior surgery. This case highlights how a neck tissue expander can temporarily impede intubation.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Tracheal intubation can be challenging due to anatomical variations and pathologies.
- Previous surgical interventions can alter neck anatomy, potentially complicating future procedures.
Observation:
- A patient experienced unexpected difficulty during tracheal intubation.
- The difficulty was linked to a tissue expander placed under the anterolateral neck skin.
Findings:
- The presence of a tissue expander created transient anatomical obstruction.
- This obstruction led to temporary challenges in achieving successful tracheal intubation.
Implications:
- Anesthesiologists should consider iatrogenic causes of difficult intubation.
- Awareness of tissue expanders as a potential cause is crucial for airway management.