An alternative method to intubate with laryngeal mask and see-through-bougie.
BACKGROUND
Different ways of managing the difficult airway is an important issue for the anaesthetist. We have investigated a technique with a see-through-bougie and laryngeal mask for intubation.


METHODS
We report our experience with intubation of 30 patients using a see-through-bougie guided through a laryngeal mask with a fibreoptic bronchoscope. The bougie is then used as a guidance for a tracheal tube.


RESULTS
In 29 of the 30 investigated patients, this method could be used. In one patient the method had to be abandoned because of a tortuous trachea. Seventeen patients were intubated within 2 min, 11 between 2 and 5 min and 1 required 10 min. The time was mainly dependent on the endoscopic experience of the anaesthetist. No patient sustained arterial desaturation.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that intubation using a see-through-bougie and a laryngeal mask is a valuable method in the difficult intubation situation, when a temporary airway can be achieved with laryngeal mask, since it permits continuous ventilation and visual control throughout the procedure.
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden.
F
F
Hammarskjöld
G
G
Lindskog
P
P
Blomqvist
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged