title: Use of the intubating laryngeal mask airway to facilitate awake orotracheal intubation in patients with cervical spine disorders.
abstract: Airway management in patients with unstable cervical spines remains a challenge for anesthesia providers. Because neurologic evaluations may be required following tracheal intubation and positioning for the surgical procedure, an awake intubation technique is desirable in this patient population. In this report, we describe the use of an intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) to facilitate awake tracheal intubation in two patients with cervical spine disorders. After topical local analgesia, the ILMA was inserted easily, and a tracheal tube was passed through the glottic opening without complications. Thus, the ILMA may be an acceptable alternative to the fiberoptic bronchoscope for awake tracheal intubation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 75235-9068, USA.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Tongier
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Armbruster
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011187:Posture; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications; D014851:Wakefulness
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine; D001566:Benzocaine