Management of Near-Complete Airway Obstruction Caused by a Vallecular Cyst in an Infant Using a Tongue Tip Traction Suture

Christine M. Wong, Elizabeth A. Ghazal, Robin A. Dyleski, Richard L. Applegate

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Airway obstruction in infants can be because of a number of airway issues, one of which is a vallecular cyst. Although uncommonly seen, the management strategy for this difficult airway can be applied to many other difficult airway cases. We report the use of a preoperative oral fiberoptic assessment of the airway, use of a tongue stitch, and manipulation of a flexible nasal fiberoptic bronchoscope to secure the airway. Keeping the patient breathing spontaneously with low-dose ketamine also facilitated successful tracheal intubation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-33
Number of pages3
JournalA & A case reports
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2016

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Medicine

Keywords

  • Bronchoscopy
  • Humans
  • Airway Obstruction/diagnosis
  • Infant
  • Airway Management/instrumentation
  • Cysts/complications
  • Laryngeal Diseases/complications

Cite this