The use of a noninvasive positive pressure system to facilitate tracheal intubation in a difficult pediatric airway: a case report

Abstract

Patients with burns to the head and neck may be difficult to intubate or ventilate via facemask. Furthermore, post-burn scarring and microstomia may reduce the success of rescue supraglottic airway placement. While awake tracheal intubation using a flexible intubation scope is considered the optimal technique for these patients, it may not always be feasible in the pediatric population. We report a case of successful management of a difficult airway in a child with extensive post-burn head and neck deformity using a noninvasive positive pressure system to aid with inhalational induction and deep sedation during intubation using a flexible scope.

Keywords

• Noninvasive ventilation
• Continuous positive airway pressure
• Deep sedation
• Intubation, intratracheal
• Burns
• Pediatrics