Awake endotracheal intubation in patients with severely restricted mouth opening- alternative devices to fiberscope: series of cases and literature review

Abstract

Awake Fiberoptic Intubation (AFI) is a standard method of airway management in the case of anticipated difficult intubation. It is usually performed with the use of flexible fiberscopes. In this report we have described two methods in which alternative devices to the fiberscope were utilized for awake intubation in patients with severely restricted mouth opening scheduled for craniomaxillofacial surgery: TruView PCD and Levitan FPS. Information about the use of these devices in such conditions has not been previously published in the literature. Some of the possible advantages of these alternative methods for AFI result from the fact that they are easy to use, especially for anesthesiologists who are relatively inexperienced with fiberscope intubation procedures. Additionally, these alternatives are cheaper than fiberscopes and can be used for many AFI procedures.