Intubation with Airtraq ^TM laryngoscope in a morbidly obese patient

Abstract

In the present study, we report a case of successful endotracheal intubation using Airtraq™ Laryngoscope (AQL) in a morbidly obese patient. A 35-year-old woman, morbidly obese (weight, 105 kg; height, 160 cm; BMI, 41 kg/m2), known hypertensive and diabetic, was admitted in the operating room for total abdominal hysterectomy under general anesthesia. The preoperative airway assessment anticipated both difficult bag-mask ventilation and intubation. Tracheal intubation using AQL was attempted after induction with propofol and relaxation with succinylcholine. Successful tracheal intubation was accomplished within 12 seconds of insertion of AQL into the oral cavity. The minimal hemodynamic response during this maneuver was advantageous in our patient.