Difficult Airway Society (DAS) Trainees
Difficult Airway Society (DAS) Trainees

@dastrainees

10 Tweets 17 reads Jan 20, 2024
#JanuAIRWAY Day 19. Back to Airway Obstruction – Today its Infraglottic – can be divided into: extrathoracic (above thoracic inlet) and intrathoracic (below). Each presents unique challenges. Let’s dive in … Here are the #OnePagers (Ft. expert contribution Sadie Khwaja)
1/10
Extrathoracic Physiology
- Theory=fixed lesion unaffected by respiratory cycle / anaesthesia induction (but most have a dynamic element)
- Extrathoracic lesions usually better in expiration +ve pressure splints airway open
- Flow-volume loops can be helpful
#JanuAIRWAY 2/10
Issues:
- Laryngoscopy likely to be easy – however, major concern = inability to pass ETT atraumatically beyond the level of obstruction
- Nasendoscopy can be useful to view lesion
- AFOI may cause β€˜cork in bottle’ effect depending on lesion size/location
#JanuAIRWAY 3/10
Intrathoracic Issues:
- Upper/Mid lesions usually low risk – ETT may pass beyond
- Low tracheal/Bronchial lesions = high risk, best managed in specialist centres
- CT scan = essential
- Sudden obstruction can occur at ANY time
- Potential compression of heart/vessels
- 5/10
Severe Obstruction:
- Check position patient breaths best in
- Spont vent may help, IPPV may cause airway collapse
- Opinion re: IV vs inhalational = mixed
- Ketamine ?preserves chest wall tone
- Need back up plan
- Consider Heliox/bypass/ECMO before starting
#JanuAIRWAY 6/10
Potential rescue manoeuvres:
In an emergency – consider passing an ETT tube & then placing a jet catheter (e.g. Cook or Aintree) beyond obstruction.
Alternatively, an extra-long ETT can be created by cutting reinforced ETT & inserting into the free end of another
#JanuAIRWAY 7/10
Options:
- ATI/AFOI – view level of obstruction & try to pass ETT beyond before induction
- Rigid bronchoscope
- Jet vent.
- Cardiopulmonary bypass as β€˜standby’ technique is often impractical - if you think you need it, need to be in a cardiothoracic theatre
#JanuAIRWAY 8/10
Hope that helps! We'll be back on Monday, when we'll look at ECMO and difficult airways. See you then! #JanuAIRWAY 10/10

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