Anaesthetic Management of Post-intubation Tracheal Stenosis using a Supraglottic Airway: A Case Report
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Patients who have undergone prolonged intubation may develop Tracheal Stenosis (TS). Patients with TS may experience a range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, noisy breathing, and changes in voice. This case reports on the anaesthetic management of a 21-year-old male who presented with these symptoms and was confirmed to have stenosis at the levels of C7 and C8. The patient’s condition was probably related to a long intubation period because of respiratory failure, and he had an airway obstruction risk due to the TS. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol, and the patient was not given any muscle relaxants. The patient’s ventilation was facilitated through a Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) during stenting of the tracheal lesion by interventional radiology. The patient’s haemodynamics and oxygenation remained stable, and the airway was managed with a guidewire placed in the larynx and balloon dilation of the tracheal lumens, followed by successful deployment of the stents without interruption of ventilation. The patient tolerated the procedure well and recovered smoothly without any signs of airway complications. The novelty of this case lies in the successful maintenance of spontaneous ventilation without neuromuscular blockade during tracheal stenting, ensuring airway safety in a high-risk stenotic lesion. This case illustrates the critical role of good anaesthetic planning and intra- and interdisciplinary coordination in caring for patients with critical TS undergoing interventional procedures.
Language: English
Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $275
OpenAlex ID: W7169757869