Use of WuScope for exchange of endotracheal tube in a patient with difficult airway.

Abstract

To describe a method for the exchange of a defective endotracheal tube using the WuScope in patients with difficult airways who cannot tolerate interrupted ventilation. Case report. Detailed description of proposed modality for the endotracheal tube exchange. Exchanging a defective endotracheal tube in patients with a "difficult airway" and compromised oxygenation can be a challenging task. Performing fiberoptic visualization with the WuScope and using a "double intubation" technique may be an acceptable method for endotracheal tube exchange in some clinical situations. By using our technique the exchange of an endotracheal tube in a patient with a difficult airway may be achieved without interrupting the ventilation.