Fiber-Optic-Assisted Endotracheal Intubation Complicated by Iatrogenic Right Main Bronchus Obstruction

Abstract

Several aids have been designed for helping anesthetist in managing the difficult airway. Oral carcinomas often distort the airway anatomy and present as difficult airway usually with restricted mouth opening. In these scenarios, elective nasotracheal intubation with fiberoptic is done to secure the airway as well as to provide the full surgical field to the surgeon. Vertically split nasopharyngeal airway is one of the popular aids used as a conduit to pass fiber-optic bronchoscope. Timely removal of the split nasopharyngeal airway is must and if missed, and pushed inside bronchus leading to iatrogenic complication.