Management of an unusual pediatric difficult airway using ketamine as a sole agent

Paediatr Anaesth. 2008 Aug;18(8):785-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2008.02651.x.

Abstract

We present the case of a 9-year-old boy who suffered a fall while brushing his teeth. This resulted in impalement of the lateral pharyngeal wall by the toothbrush with its head becoming firmly lodged adjacent to the internal carotid artery as demonstrated by CT scan. The length of the toothbrush protruding from the mouth and the inability to adequately assess the airway prior to any intervention gave rise to a unique set of surgical and anesthetic airway management problems. These were compounded by the possibility of damage to the carotid artery and potential catastrophic hemorrhage with manipulation of the toothbrush at any point. We detail the problems and outline our management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Airway Obstruction / surgery*
  • Anesthesia, General / instrumentation
  • Anesthesia, General / methods
  • Anesthetics, Dissociative*
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / diagnostic imaging
  • Child
  • Foreign Bodies / complications*
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / instrumentation
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
  • Ketamine*
  • Laryngoscopy / methods
  • Male
  • Pharynx / injuries*
  • Radiography
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Dissociative
  • Ketamine