Airway management of a rare huge-size supraglottic mass

Authors

• Samer A. Arab, PO Box 40081, Al-Khobar 31952, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (3) 8945677 Ext. 2022. Fax. +966 (3) 8976790. E-mail: haithamabouzeid{at}hotmail.com
• Abdel-Aziz A. Al-Qurain, Departments of Anesthesiology, King Fahd Hospital of University, Al-Khobar, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Khalid M. Mokhazy, Departments of Anesthesiology, King Fahd Hospital of University, Al-Khobar, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Laser excision of a huge-sized supraglottic mass nearly obstructing the airway passage is a real challenge to anesthesiologists. Upper airway obstruction due to neoplasm in supraglottic region, is traditionally managed by preoperative tracheostomy, however, such a common procedure can potentially have an impact on long-term outcome. A 26-year-old patient presented with dysphagia caused by left cystic vallecular synovial sarcoma. The airway was successfully secured via fiberoptic bronchoscopy, followed by excision of the supraglottic tumor with CO2 laser surgery. Tracheostomy was not required. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 4th day of surgery. This case, highlights the possibility to secure the airway passage without performing preoperative tracheostomy resulting in good outcome and short hospital stay.

Article Type

Case Report

First Page

711

Last Page

713

Recommended Citation

Arab, Samer A.; Al-Qurain, Abdel-Aziz A.; and Mokhazy, Khalid M. (2006) "Airway management of a rare huge-size supraglottic mass," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 27: Iss. 5, Article 25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.3434