Anesthesia for a patient with tracheal tumor using laryngeal mask airway

Algorithm for airway management in benign intra-tracheal lesions

The authors have conducted a retrospective analysis based on two cases of patients with intra-tracheal pathologies who received treatment from the same surgeon at a tertiary referral center. The effective management of airways in patients with intra-tracheal lesions necessitates close collaboration between surgeons and anesthesiologists. Factors such as the size, location, rigidity of the tumor, and the remaining tracheal lumen space should be carefully considered. In situations where there is near complete obstruction of the trachea and a substantial risk of worsened respiratory function, resorting to cardiopulmonary bypass or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is advisable. This pilot study aims at devising an algorithm for the airway management of intra-tracheal lesions, although a larger case cohort is needed to assess its applicability and effectiveness.

Apnoeic oxygenation with high-flow oxygen for tracheal resection and reconstruction surgery

Background

Tracheal resection and reconstruction are the most effective treatments for tracheal stenosis, but the difficulties are surgery and maintaining ventilation performed on the patient’s same airway. High-flow oxygen has begun to be applied to prolong the apnoea time in the tracheal anastomosis period for tracheal resection and reconstruction. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of apneic conditions with high-flow oxygen as the sole method of gas exchange during anastomosis construction.

Methods

A prospective study was performed on 16 patients with tracheal stenosis, with ages ranging from 19 to 70, who underwent tracheal resection and reconstruction from April 2019 to August 2020 in 108 Military Central Hospital. During the anastomosis phase using high flow oxygen of 35–40 l.min-1 delivered across the open tracheal with an endotracheal tube (ETT) at the glottis in apnoeic conditions.

Results

The mean (SD) apnoea time was 20.91 (2.53) mins. Mean (SD) time anastomosis was 22.9 (2.41) mins. The saturation of oxygen was stable during all procedures at 98–100%. Arterial blood gas analysis showed mean (SD) was hypercapnia and acidosis acute respiratory after 10 mins of apnoea and 20 mins apnoea respectively. However, after 15 mins of ventilation, the parameters are ultimately returned to normal. All 16 patients were extubated early and safely at the end of the operation. There were no complications, such as bleeding, hemothorax, pneumothorax, or barotrauma.

Conclusion

High-flow oxygen across the open tracheal under apnoeic conditions can provide a satisfactory gas exchange to allow tubeless anesthesia for tracheal resection and reconstruction.

Awake nasotracheal intubation under bronchoscopic guidance and anesthetic management in a patient undergoing excision of an endotracheal mass: A case report

RATIONALE

The main challenge facing anesthesiologists during endotracheal mass resection is securing effective airway management during surgery. It is important to select an airway intubation and airway maintenance method according to the patient's condition and the characteristics of the mass.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 74-year-old woman with aggravated dyspnea for 1 year was scheduled to undergo endotracheal mass excision under general anesthesia.

DIAGNOSIS

The mass was 4 × 3 × 3 cm ovoid-shaped, and located 4 cm above the carina, occupying 41% of the tracheal lumen in a preoperative chest computed tomography and bronchoscopy.

INTERVENTIONS

After preparing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in case of the inability to ventilate and intubate, we attempted awake bronchoscopy-guided nasotracheal intubation using a reinforced endotracheal tube with an inner diameter of 5.5 mm and outer diameter of 7.8 mm after a translaryngeal block. The tube was passed around the mass without resistance and placed right above the carina. With the tube pulled back above the mass, another tube was introduced from the opened trachea below the mass to the right main bronchus. Following the resection of the tracheal portion containing the mass, the posterior wall of the remaining trachea was reconstructed. The tube placed in the right main bronchus was removed and the tube in the upper trachea was introduced right above the carina. The patient's head was kept flexed once the anastomosis of the trachea was completed, and the surgery ended uneventfully.

OUTCOMES

The mass was confirmed as schwannoma by histopathological finding. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 6th postoperative day without complication.

LESSONS

Awake bronchoscopy-guided intubation is a safe airway management method in patients with an endotracheal mass. Close cooperation between anesthesiologist and surgeon, and preparation for airway management before surgery is essential. It is necessary to establish alternative plans that can be implemented in the case that intubation and ventilation are not possible.

Airway management in a patient with an intratracheal tumor near the carina by a two-stage operation

In patients with intratracheal tumors, airway management while maintaining oxygenation and providing surgical access to the airway can be challenging. Here, we present a case of a two-stage operation to remove an intratracheal tumor causing partial obstruction near the carina. In the otorhinolaryngology department, a biopsy was performed during apnea under high-flow nasal oxygenation support. A few days later, a thoracic surgeon performed tracheal resection after sternotomy under general anesthesia. Mechanical ventilation was performed by inserting a sterile endotracheal tube in the resected distal part of the trachea in the surgical field for tracheal end-to-end anastomosis. Airway was successfully secured through close communication between teams of anesthesiologists and surgeons.

Spontaneous bag mask ventilation for establishing cardiopulmonary bypass via mid-sternotomy in patients with severe tracheal stenosis: A series of three patients

In patients with critical tracheal stenosis, particularly involving the lower part of trachea, a highly experienced team of anesthesiologists to tackle the difficulties of securing and maintaining the ventilation, cardiac surgeon who can swiftly establish cardiopulmonary bypass, an experienced surgeon for tracheal reconstruction are a prerequisite for managing these highly complex cases. The present paper describes three patients suffering from severe tracheal narrowing wherein spontaneous bag-mask ventilation was used for establishing cardiopulmonary bypass via mid-sternotomy as a rare life-saving procedure for urgent tracheal reconstructive surgery. A highly experienced team of anesthesiologists to tackle the difficulties of securing and maintaining the ventilation, cardiac surgeon who can swiftly establish CPB, and an experienced surgeon for tracheal reconstruction are a prerequisite for managing these highly complex cases. The present paper describes three patients suffering from severe tracheal narrowing wherein spontaneous bag-mask ventilation was used for establishing CPB via mid-sternotomy as a rare life-saving procedure for urgent tracheal reconstructive surgery.

Interventional Pulmonology

Bronchoscopy presents a unique challenge and need for collaboration between anesthesia providers and bronchoscopists. The approach to topical anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation must be customized based on complexity, duration, and setting. The bronchoscopy team must work together in each phase of the procedure to ensure patient safety and allow completion of a quality bronchoscopy. Airway access may change depending on the type of procedure planned and must be discussed before each case. Intraprocedural difficulties with ventilation, airway pressure, and sedation may arise that must be addressed together. This review highlights an approach to these common challenges.

Low tracheal tumor and airway management: An anesthetic challenge

We describe a case presenting with tracheal tumor wherein a Microlaryngeal tube was advanced into the trachea distal to the tumor for primary airway control followed by cannulation of both endobronchial lumen with 5.5 mm endotracheal tubes to provide independent lung ventilation post tracheal transection using Y- connector attached to anesthesia machine. The plan was formulated to provide maximal surgical access to the trachea while providing adequate ventilation at the same time. A 32 yrs non smoker male, complaining of cough, progressive dyspnea and hemoptysis was diagnosed to have a broad based mass in the trachea on computed tomography of chest. Bronchoscopy of the upper airway confirmed presence of the mass at a distance of 9 cms from the vocal cords, obstructing the tracheal lumen by three fourth of the diameter. The patient was scheduled to undergo the resection of the mass through anterolateral thoracotomy. We recommend the use of extralong, soft, small sized microlaryngeal surgery tube in tumors proximal to carina, for securing the airway before the transection of trachea and bilateral endobronchial intubation with small sized cuffed endotracheal tubes for maintenance of ventilation after the transection of trachea in patients with mass in the lower trachea.