Successful Intubation of a Difficult Airway Using a Yankauer Suction Catheter

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Keshav PatelLaura Bauler

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is used to effectively manage a patient's airway. Failure of ETI may lead to ineffective ventilation or oxygenation, potentially causing organ damage and eventually death. Approximately 8% of ETIs are difficult and 1% are unsuccessful. Tools and techniques to successfully obtain airway access are essential. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented to the emergency department in acute respiratory distress. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation was unsuccessful in improving the patient's tidal volume and work of breathing. The patient was unable to be intubated by conventional techniques because of a mass obstructing the view of her vocal cords. A cricothyrotomy was considered, but not initially performed because of her distorted anatomy. After multiple intubation attempts from several different physicians, the patient was successfully intubated with the aid of a suction Yankauer, which was used to move the mass peripherally and further served as a conduit through which a bougie was passed. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: The risk for complications rises with each intubation attempt. While there are a variety of tools and aids that can be used to assist ...Continue Reading

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.