Application of a new tracheal inducer to therapeutic flexible bronchoscopy for airway management: a case report

Abstract

The ventilation methods during therapeutic flexible bronchoscopy vary among anesthesiologists and institutions, but each method has its own pitfalls. Therefore, improvement of the airway equipment is important. Here, we present a case in which a new tracheal inducer (Safe Easy Endotracheal Kit-flexible, SEEK^flex) was applied in bronchoscopic balloon dilation under general anesthesia for airway management. This technology utilizes a flexible bronchoscope to reveal the glottis for tracheal placement of the SEEK^flex to allow subglottic jet ventilation, illustrating the prominent function of performing SEEK^flex-guided tracheal intubation in case of rapid sequence intubation. The SEEK^flex can be easily inserted into the trachea transnasally without the aid of other devices, without significant kink and displacement during the jet ventilation. The SEEK^flex could provide good airway control by facilitating sufficient ventilation, optimizing surgical access and guiding tracheal intubation when necessary.

Keywords: SEEKflex-guided tracheal intubation; Therapeutic flexible bronchoscopy; airway management; nasotracheal placement of SEEKflex; subglottic jet ventilation.