Successful airway management with combined use of a McGRATHTM MAC videolaryngoscope and fiberoptic bronchoscope in a patient with congenital tracheal stenosis diagnosed in adulthood

Abstract

BackgroundMost patients with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) develop respiratory symptoms early in life. CTS remaining undiagnosed until adulthood is rare.Case presentationA 51-year-old female was scheduled for cardiovascular surgery. She had undergone laparoscopic surgery 3 years earlier and was found to have a difficult airway. Postoperatively, she was diagnosed with CTS. For the current cardiovascular surgery, combined use of a McGRATHTM MAC videolaryngoscope and fiberoptic bronchoscope allowed sufficient visualization of the glottis and trachea, resulting in successful intubation.ConclusionsCTS patients have a high probability of difficult intubation. Our experience suggests the efficacy of combined use of a videolaryngoscope and fiberoptic bronchoscope for airway management in CTS patients.