Combined use of adult fiberoptic bronchoscope and CARTO catheter for tracheal intubation in children with known difficult airway.

PURPOSE: To find an alternative device to solve the difficult airway in children.

METHOD: Fifteen patients, all ASA I-II, aged from 1.5 to 9 years, who were undergoing elective surgeries were included. Difficult endotracheal intubation, but not difficult ventilation, was possible for all. The adult fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) was used to provide a vision of the glottis, and the CARTO catheter (a cardiac interventional catheter) with adjustable tip was used to induce the endotracheal tube.

RESULTS

All patients were successfully intubated within 1-2 min at the first attempt.

CONCLUSION

Combined use of adult FOB and CARTO catheter may be an alternative device for tracheal intubation in children with known difficult airway.