Use of WuScope for exchange of endotracheal tube in a patient with difficult airway.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a method for the exchange of a defective endotracheal tube using the WuScope in patients with difficult airways who cannot tolerate interrupted ventilation.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Detailed description of proposed modality for the endotracheal tube exchange.


RESULTS
Exchanging a defective endotracheal tube in patients with a "difficult airway" and compromised oxygenation can be a challenging task. Performing fiberoptic visualization with the WuScope and using a "double intubation" technique may be an acceptable method for endotracheal tube exchange in some clinical situations.


CONCLUSIONS
By using our technique the exchange of an endotracheal tube in a patient with a difficult airway may be achieved without interrupting the ventilation.
Sprung
Juraj
J
Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Sprung.juraj@mayo.edu
Wright
Laurie C
LC
Dilger
John
J
D000768:Anesthesia, General; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*