A technique for intubation of the difficult airway.

Intubation of a patient with an obstructive friable tumor mass in the hypopharynx can be difficult. A technique for solving our most difficult cases evolved after all current methods had been tried. This technique combines the use of a tubular laryngoscope and a hollow wand (or guide), through which O2 can be delivered into the trachea as the endotracheal tube is advanced past the obstructing lesion. Existing techniques are also discussed.