title: Avoiding a wrapped endotracheal tube in laser laryngeal surgery: experiences with apneic anesthesia and metal laser-flex endotracheal tubes.
abstract: Ninety-one laser laryngeal procedures using the apneic technique of anesthesia were performed in 28 patients between 2 months and 64 years of age. Seventy-two procedures (79%) were performed on children and 19 on adults. There were no complications. Eight laser laryngoscopies were performed using a new metal Laser-Flex endotracheal tube. Obstruction of the endotracheal tube with a mucous plug occurred in one case. The apneic technique described in this paper provides a laser operative field free of an endotracheal tube, virtually eliminating the danger of a laser fire. It is a relatively safe and effective means of performing laser laryngeal surgery. In addition, the Laser-Flex endotracheal tube appears to be an acceptable alternative to a metallic tape-wrapped endotracheal tube.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Joseph
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D001049:Apnea; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000295:instrumentation