Using a Kirschner Wire as a Stylet for the Management of a Difficult Neonatal Airway: A Case Report.

We report the successful management of a difficult airway in an extremely low birth weight neonate (700 g) using a Kirschner wire as a substitute for an endotracheal tube stylet. Several intubation attempts were unsuccessful because of the difficulty in guiding a very small and malleable tube under the epiglottis. This study highlights that every maternity hospital should be prepared to manage airways in unexpected extremely low birth weight neonates. Appropriate size equipment and protocols should be readily available.