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Case Reports
. 2024 Sep 2;16(9):e68488.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.68488. eCollection 2024 Sep.

A Case of Transient Ventilation Difficulty Caused by the Occlusion of a Nasotracheal Intubation Tube Due to the Weight of the Tongue in a Patient With Morbid Obesity

Naoko Tachi  1 , Aiji Sato-Boku  1 , Yoko Okumura  1 , Mayumi Hashimoto  1 , Masahiro Okuda  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Case of Transient Ventilation Difficulty Caused by the Occlusion of a Nasotracheal Intubation Tube Due to the Weight of the Tongue in a Patient With Morbid Obesity

Naoko Tachi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

In patients with obesity, airway obstruction is more likely to occur because of the effects of gravity on the supine position and compression of the airway caused by the weight of soft tissues. This significantly increases the risk of apnea and hypoxemia. Therefore, careful airway monitoring and securing are essential after anesthesia induction and during postoperative recovery. Herein, we report a case of nasotracheal intubation tube obstruction caused by the weight of the tongue in a patient with morbid obesity during general anesthesia. This rare complication highlights the importance of careful airway monitoring and management in patients with obesity undergoing general anesthesia.

Keywords: airway management; airway obstruction; nasal intubation; obesity; tongue weight.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Backward head position (A) and forward head position (B)
(A) The airway is open as the head is extended, and the intubation tube is unobstructed. (B) The intubation tube is obstructed by the tongue falling back associated with the flexion of the head.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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