Montgomery Tracheal Tube - A Boon with a Challenge

Abstract

Crico-tracheal resection and anastomosis are commonly used operative techniques in managing crico-tracheal stenosis grade III-IV. The Montgomery T-tube is used both as a tracheal stent and tracheostomy. Still, it poses various challenges to anaesthesiologists, like loss of anaesthetic gases through the open proximal end of the vertical limb and lack of standard anaesthesia circuit connectors. Here we present a case of 27 years old male with a history of gunshot injury to the neck three years ago with right vocal cord palsy with subglottic tracheal stenosis grade IV posted for microlaryngobronchoscopy (MLB) with crico-tracheal resection and anastomosis with Montgomery tracheal tube insertion. In this case, we used LMA proseal, which not only enabled us to stop the anaesthetic gas loss via the proximal vertical limb of the T-tube but also aided in checking airway patency and proper positioning of the T-tube via flexible bronchoscope through it.