Difficult intubation in ENT patient: Simultaneous videolaryngoscopy with flexible bronchoscopy. A combined approach. Case report

Introduction: Difficult intubation is the situation when a skilled anesthetist has difficulties to manage airway using face mask, laryngoscopy, supraglottic device, tracheal intubation, surgery. Videolaryngoscope and flexible fibroscope (FFS) represent valid alternatives for difficult airway management, with some limitations. However, literature lacks of studies about the efficacy of the combined use of videolaryngoscope and FFS.

Case report: We report a case of a man, with glottic lesion, who needs surgery under general anesthesia. Anesthesiologic pre-operative evaluation revealed that he's a difficult intubation case. So, in a supine position, intubation was performed on first attempt by videolaryngoscope combined with FFS. On post-op, no signs of injuries due to intubation have been found.

Discussion: In 2022, the American Society of Anesthesiologists defined the guidelines to manage difficult intubation: based on patient' anatomical and clinical feature and anesthetist' skills, several intubation procedures could be used. Each procedure has pros and cons.

Conclusion: It's the first case of anticipated difficult intubation in adult man that was intubated under general anesthesia by using videolaryngoscope combined with FFS. We demonstrated that this procedure is safe and useful in case of difficult airway and recommended in case of laryngeal lesions that hinder the visualization of glottic plane.