title: A two-person technique for fiberscope-aided tracheal extubation/reintubation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
abstract: The technique of fiberoptic-aided intubation for management of a difficult airway is often limited in the presence of blood or secretions and conditions in which the passage of a fiberoptic bronchoscope ("fiberscope") beneath the epiglottis and into the glottic opening may prove difficult. Direct laryngoscopy can be utilized in combination with the fiberscope as a two-person technique to overcome these challenges. We report the usefulness of a two-person technique using the flexible fiberscope in combination with direct laryngoscopy for extubation/reintubation in two intensive care unit patients with known difficult airways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin, MSB 5.020, Houston, TX 77030, USA. carin.a.hagberg@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Carin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hagberg
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Westhofen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D009767:Obesity, Morbid