TITLE:
A Simple Technique to Improve Standard Nasotracheal Intubation
AUTHORS:
Don Pang, Miriam Flaum, Paul Vastola, Piyush Gupta, Evan Salant, Dennis Feierman
KEYWORDS:
Nasotracheal Intubation, Difficult Airway, Pediatrics
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Anesthesiology,
Vol.7 No.9,
September
27,
2017
ABSTRACT: NTI is included in the ASA difficult airway algorithm. However, even with the assistance of a Magill forceps, it might be difficult to place the endotracheal (ET) tube in the trachea because of the angle at which the tube approaches the glottis opening and the inability to bend the tube secondary to the ET-tubes compliance. By placing a soft suction catheter thru the ET-tube, and placing the suction catheter into the trachea first and sliding the tube over the catheter this problem can be avoided. In addition, grabbing the suction catheter rather than the ET-tube, also prevents the rupturing of the ET-tube balloon by the Magill forceps.