title: Cuffed nasopharyngeal tube as 'dedicated airway' in difficult intubation.
abstract: A cuffed nasopharyngeal airway was used in five cases of difficult intubation, initially to maintain anaesthesia, and subsequently to act as a landmark for the passage of a fibreoptic laryngoscope loaded with a tracheal tube. In all cases, airway patency was well preserved with the device and there were no significant problems with its use. The notion of a 'dedicated airway' for difficult intubation cases is developed. A trouble-free airway will permit time to consider solutions for difficult cases and time for the novice to learn fibreoptic laryngoscopy technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Walton Hospital, Liverpool.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ralston
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Charters
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D009305:Nasopharynx