Anesthesia for Airway Surgery

Radical resection of solitary tracheal extramedullary plasmacytoma under non-intubated anesthesia: a case report

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is an uncommon monoclonal plasma cell malignancy that arises outside of the bone marrow. Rarely, EMPs can occur in the trachea, resulting in severe respiratory distress. Due to a small number of cases, the optimal management of tracheal EMP remains a topic of debate. Here, we report a rare case of solitary tracheal EMP causing symptoms of cough, sputum, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and progressive exertional dyspnea in a 65-year-old male patient. Computerized tomography and fibro bronchoscopy indicated a pedicled nodular mass on the anterior tracheal wall obstructing over 95% of the lumen. The patient was soon successfully managed with partial tracheal resection and reconstruction surgery under non-intubated anesthesia and was diagnosed as EMP by histopathology of the resected mass. Additional laboratory tests excluded the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM). There are no signs of recurrence after 6 months of follow-up. Although traditional intubated anesthesia with single-lung mechanical ventilation has been widely applied to radical surgery for tracheal tumors, it is associated with a higher incidence of intubation-related complications and thus prolongs the surgical procedure and postoperative recovery. In this article, we reported the application of tracheal resection and reconstruction under non-intubated anesthesia for the treatment of tracheal EMP, which was proved to be feasible and safe. Non-intubated anesthesia for tracheal resection and reconstruction is likely to be an alternative minimally invasive option for patients with tracheal EMP involving central airways.

Robotic-assisted tracheobronchial surgery

Robotic technology is positioned to transform the approach to tracheobronchial surgery. With its magnified 3D view, intuitive controls, wristed-instruments, high-fidelity simulation platforms, and the steady implementation of new technical improvement, the robot is well-suited to manage the careful dissection and delicate handling of the airway in tracheobronchial surgery. This innovative technology has the potential to promote the widespread adoption of minimally invasive techniques for this complex thoracic surgery.

Anesthesia for shared airway surgery in children

Shared airway surgery in children is a complex, high-risk undertaking that requires continuous communication and cooperation between the anesthetic and surgical teams. Airway abnormalities commonly seen in children, the surgical options, and the anesthetic techniques that can be used to care for this vulnerable population are discussed. Many of these procedures were traditionally carried out using jet ventilation, or intermittent tracheal intubation, but increasingly spontaneously breathing "tubeless" techniques are being used. This review has been written from both the surgical and anesthetic perspective, highlighting the concerns that both specialties have in relation to the maintenance of surgical access and operating conditions, and the need for the provision of anesthesia, oxygenation, and ventilation where the airway is the primary site of operation.

Nonintubated Anesthesia for Tracheal/Carinal Resection and Reconstruction

Nonintubated anesthesia is feasible and might be associated with shorter surgery time and shorter hospitalization for tracheal/carinal resection and reconstruction. Only case reports and a few small retrospective series study were conducted to evaluate nonintubated anesthesia for tracheal/carinal resection and reconstruction; no randomized control trials exist. Further exploration should focus on selection of optimal candidates and prospective validation.

Nonintubated Tracheal Surgery

The article describes an anesthetic management strategy for resection of the cervical trachea due to benign stenosis without using an endotracheal tube. The strategy includes: (1) insertion of an airway stent in the stenotic area, (2) insertion of a supraglottic airway device (SGAD), and (3) advancing a jet ventilation catheter through the SGAD. The stent is removed during surgery together with the resected part of the trachea. The technique of nonintubated tracheal resection allows the surgeon to work most comfortably and helps the anesthesiologist properly maintain the patient's vital functions in the operating room.