Failed fibreoptic bronchoscopy-guided intubation in a child with post-burn contracture and anticipated difficult airway: Videolaryngoscope to the rescue

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Airway management in a child with post-burn contracture (PBC) involving the face, anterior neck and chest is challenging for the anaesthesiologist. Although fibreoptic endoscopy-guided intubation is considered the gold standard for difficult paediatric airway, this may not always be useful. We report the successful management of a distorted airway in a 3-year-old girl scheduled for cosmetic correction of PBC under general anaesthesia. The initial attempt of fibreoptic endoscopy to secure the airway was unsuccessful. The child was subsequently managed by the release of contractures and videolaryngoscopy-guided intubation.