Case Report: Double Visualization Intubation Strategy for Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease involving the axial bone. Because it leads to rigidity of the spine and joints, especially when involving the cervical spine, it will cause a difficult airway, creating a major challenge for airway management. Herein, we report presents a double visual intubation strategy for severe ankylosing spondylitis patients who are difficult to intubate with a video laryngoscope.Case PresentationA 31-year-old patient with severe ankylosing spondylitis has a seriously restricted neck movement that makes it hard to insert a tracheal tube using only a video laryngoscope. With the aid of video laryngoscope, we then guided the endotracheal intubation using a lighted stylet. Eventually, the oropharynx was opened sufficiently so that the tracheal tube could be rapidly introduced below the epiglottis and entered the glottis.ConclusionIn conclusion, the video laryngoscope is a viable operation to assist lighted stylet guided endotracheal intubation in severe ankylosing spondylitis patients after video laryngoscope intubation failure.