Anesthetic Management of the Narrowed Airway

Abstract

Airway narrowing can be idiopathic or can occur as a result of airway tumors, hematomas, infections, and other pathologic conditions. Endoscopic management variously involves balloon dilatation, stent placement, laser vaporization of pathologic tissue, microdebridement, and other interventions, using either a rigid or a flexible bronchoscope. Jet ventilation is frequently used in such settings, especially when the presence of an endotracheal tube would interfere with the procedure. In desperate cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be used in managing the critical airway.

Keywords: Airway fire; Airway stents; Balloon dilatation; Laser airway surgery; Microdebridement; Narrowed airway; Tracheal stenosis.