Endotracheal intubation with video laryngoscope at semilateral decubitus position: a case report of a pediatric patient with a back stab wound

Abstract

Background: Endotracheal intubation is routinely performed in a supine position. However, this position might be difficult for some emergent patients. Although several alternative positions have been suggested for adult patients, such studies on pediatric patients are rare. Case presentation: We present a case of a female pediatric patient with a pencil stab wound to the back requiring an emergent operation under general endotracheal anesthesia. Placing her in supine position would have been inappropriate because of the protruding pencil. The patient was moved to a semilateral decubitus position for intubation. The endotracheal tube was inserted with a video laryngoscope. Her vital signs and oxygen saturation were stable during operation. The patient was discharged without complications. Conclusion: Semilateral intubation in pediatric patients using a video laryngoscope may be feasible under some specific conditions that make it inappropriate to place patients in a supine position.