Bronchoscope-Guided Airway Rescue via an I-gel™ for Haematoma-Induced Airway Obstruction Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Abstract

Airway obstruction requiring emergency airway rescue is an uncommon yet potentially fatal complication following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. This report describes rapid clinical deterioration after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion despite haematoma evacuation. After failing to secure the airway with awake bronchoscope-guided tracheal intubation and video-laryngoscopy, an I-gel™ supraglottic airway was inserted, and alveolar oxygenation was restored. Bronchoscope-guided intubation was easily achieved via the I-gel™ lumen. The practicality of this technique for airway rescue in the context of a high-stakes time-critical airway emergency is discussed.