An unexpectedly difficult intubation following repeated endoscopy

Abstract

A 67-year-old man required an urgent laparotomy for a bleeding gastric ulcer. He had undergone three upper gastrointestinal endoscopies over five days since admission to hospital. Tracheal intubation was unexpectedly difficult due to marked supraglottic oedema as well as unfavourable upper airway anatomy. A fibreoptic intubation through a laryngeal mask airway was performed with difficulty. The management of this case of difficult intubation following repeated endoscopy is presented.