Laryngeal mask airway and high-frequency jet ventilation for the resection of a high-grade upper tracheal stenosis.

The surgical resection of a high-grade tracheal stenosis presents a special case of a difficult airway. A 20-year-old male was treated for a 45-mm long tracheal stenosis with 60% reduction of the patent airway area beginning 25 mm below the glottis. To avoid manipulations of the affected segment before surgical exposure of the trachea was established, strictly supraglottic ventilation via a laryngeal mask airway was performed. During removal of the stenosis and creation of the anastomosis, transglottic high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is a convenient technique that enables optimal access to the operation field. Changing from HFJV to conventional ventilation after completion of the anastomosis is not necessary, and the jet catheter can be left in place until the end of the anesthesia.