Successful advancement of endotracheal tube with combined fiberoptic bronchoscopy and videolaryngoscopy in a patient with a huge goiter

Abstract

If the presence of a goiter causes airway deformities in the supraglottic and infraglottic areas, difficult airway should be considered and airway evaluation including physical examination, radiologic studies, and indirect laryngoscopy should be preoperatively performed to determine the airway management plan. Various methods such as direct laryngoscopy, videolaryngoscopy, awake fiberoptic intubation, tracheostomy, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support have been reported to secure the airway. In most previously reported goiter cases, the upper airway patency was well maintained and the endotracheal tube was easily passed even when there was severe tracheal narrowing and deviation. We describe a case of successful combined use of videolaryngoscopy and fiberoptic bronchoscopy for advancement of an endotracheal tube through a narrow trachea due to the presence of a huge goiter.