Unusual way of securing the airway using gastroscope and cystoscope as an alternative to fiberoptic intubation

Abstract

Difficult airway still is one of the dreaded crises in anesthesia. A well-formulated plan with all the necessary equipment should be ready when such situations are anticipated, but unanticipated difficulties can arise, and managing such cases is a nightmare for the anesthesiologist. Most hospitals in the developing countries are not equipped technically with all the modern equipment and gadgets as far as anesthesia is concerned. In a resource-constrained area, the skill and innovative ideas of the anesthesiologist often emerge as an alternative option in dealing with such cases. Here, we describe two cases of difficult intubation by conventional approach, which were managed successfully using a pediatric gastroscope and a flexible cystoscope as an alternative to fiberoptic bronchoscope.

Keywords

• airway management
• difficult airway
• fiberoptic bronchoscope
• flexible cystoscopy
• gastroscope
• intubation