Intravenous anesthesia for thoracic procedures

A prospective observation study of the dynamic monitoring of transcutaneous arterial blood oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide during bronchoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Because bronchoscopy is an invasive procedure, sedatives and analgesics are commonly administered, which may suppress the patient's spontaneous breathing and can lead to hypoventilation and hypoxemia. Few reports exist on the dynamic monitoring of oxygenation and ventilation during bronchoscopy. This study aimed to prospectively monitor and evaluate oxygenation and ventilation during bronchoscopy using transcutaneous arterial blood oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide.

METHODS

We included patients who required pathological diagnosis using fluoroscopic bronchoscopy at our hospital between March 2021 and April 2022. Midazolam was intravenously administered to all patients as a sedative during bronchoscopy, and fentanyl was administered in addition to midazolam when necessary. A transcutaneous blood gas monitor was used to measure dynamic changes, including arterial blood partial pressure of carbon dioxide (tcPCO2), transcutaneous arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate, and perfusion index during bronchoscopy. Quantitative data of tcPCO2 and SpO2 were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) (min-max), while the quantitative data of midazolam plus fentanyl and midazolam alone were compared. Similarly, data on sex, smoking history, and body mass index were compared. Subgroup comparisons of the difference (Δ value) between baseline tcPCO2 at the beginning of bronchoscopy and the maximum value of tcPCO2 during the examination were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 117 included cases, consecutive measurements were performed in 113 cases, with a success rate of 96.6%. Transbronchial lung biopsy was performed in 100 cases, whereas transbronchial lung cryobiopsy was performed in 17 cases. Midazolam and fentanyl were used as anesthetics during bronchoscopy in 46 cases, whereas midazolam alone was used in 67 cases. The median Δ value in the midazolam plus fentanyl and midazolam alone groups was 8.10 and 4.00 mmHg, respectively, indicating a significant difference of p < 0.005. The mean ± standard deviation of tcPCO2 in the midazolam plus fentanyl and midazolam alone groups was 44.8 ± 7.83 and 40.6 ± 4.10 mmHg, respectively. The SpO2 in the midazolam plus fentanyl and midazolam alone groups was 94.4 ± 3.37 and 96.2 ± 2.61%, respectively, with a larger SD and greater variability in the midazolam plus fentanyl group.

CONCLUSION

A transcutaneous blood gas monitor is non-invasive and can easily measure the dynamic transition of CO2. Furthermore, tcPCO2 can be used to evaluate the ventilatory status during bronchoscopy easily. A transcutaneous blood gas monitor may be useful to observe regarding respiratory depression during bronchoscopy, particularly when analgesics are used.

The Efficacy and Safety of Remimazolam Tosilate Versus Dexmedetomidine in Outpatients Undergoing Flexible Bronchoscopy: A Prospective, Randomized, Blind, Non-Inferiority Trial

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of remimazolam tosilate-remifentanil (RT-RF) vs dexmedetomidine-remifentanil (Dex-RF) for outpatients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB).

Patients and methods: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, prospective study involving a total of 146 outpatients undergoing FB divided into two groups. The RT-RF (RR) group (n = 73) received an initial dose of 12 mg/kg/h of RT for 10 min followed by a maintenance dose of 1–2 mg/kg/h, while the Dex-RF (DR) group (n = 73) received an initial dose of 0.5 μg/kg of Dex for 10 min followed by a maintenance dose of 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/h. All outpatients also received 0.05–0.2 μg/kg/min RF to maintain the Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (MOAA/S) scale <3. The primary outcome was rate of successful FB completed. Secondary outcomes were time metrics, hemodynamics, intubating conditions, oxygen saturation, coughing severity, number of remedies, total dose of fentanyl, RF, RT, and Dex, incidence of dreaming, patient and bronchoscopist satisfaction, willingness to repeat bronchoscopy, and adverse events.

Results: The FB successful completion rate was 94.52% (95% CI: 89.20–99.90) in the RR group and 91.78% (95% CI: 85.30–98.20) in the DR group. Compared with patients in the DR group, the onset time, time to fully alert, and hospital discharge were all significantly shorter in the RR group (p < 0.01), and hemodynamics were more stable in the RR group. Intubating conditions, clinically acceptable intubating conditions, lowest oxygen saturation, coughing severity, consumption of fentanyl and RF, number of remedies, and patient and bronchoscopist satisfaction were similar between the groups (p > 0.05), as were demographic characteristics, incidence of dreaming, willingness to repeat bronchoscopy, and adverse events (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: RT-RF has non-inferior efficacy, better time metrics and hemodynamic stability for outpatients undergoing FB than Dex-RF.

Systematic Review Registration: [http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=66673], identifier [ChiCTR2000041524].

Evaluation of Safety and Short-term Outcomes of Therapeutic Rigid Bronchoscopy Using Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Spontaneous Assisted Ventilation

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of published data regarding the optimal type of anesthesia and ventilation strategies during rigid bronchoscopy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study is to report the procedural and anesthesia-related complications with rigid bronchoscopy using total intravenous anesthesia and spontaneous assisted ventilation.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients undergoing therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy at the University of Chicago between October 2012 and December 2014 was performed. Data were recorded relating to patients' demographics, comorbidities, type of anesthesia, need for neuromuscular blockade (NMB), intraoperative hypoxemia, hypotension, perioperative adverse events, and mortality.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients underwent 79 rigid bronchoscopy procedures; 90% were performed for malignant disease and 90% of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class III or IV. The majority (76%) did not require use of NMB. The most common adverse events were intraoperative hypoxemia (67%) and hypotension (77%). Major bleeding and postoperative respiratory failure occurred in 3.8 and 5.1% of procedures, respectively. There was no intraoperative mortality or cardiac dysrhythmias. The 30-day mortality was 7.6% and was associated with older age, inpatient status, congestive heart failure, home oxygen use, and procedural duration. Intraoperative hypoxemia, hypotension, and ASA class were not associated with 30-day mortality. The majority (94%) of patients were discharged home. The use of NMB did not impact outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy can be safely performed with total intravenous anesthesia and spontaneous assisted ventilation in patients with central airway obstruction, significant comorbidities, and a high ASA class. The only significant modifiable variable predicting the 30-day mortality was the duration of the procedure.

[Drugs for intravenous induction of anesthesia: propofol]

In a series of articles dealing with hypnotics for induction of anesthesia, this article describes the development and current value of propofol. Its significance far exceeds that of a pure induction hypnotic (sedation in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and on the intensive care unit). Propofol is also used for sedation in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and on the intensive care unit. In the field of induction of anesthesia, the alternatives are barely used. Some contraindications are still controversial whereas others are no longer sufficiently anchored in the users' awareness (widespread off-label use). Adverse effects, such as injection pain, infection risk and propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS) could be significantly reduced by pharmacovigilance. With appropriate caution nearly the whole spectrum of anesthesiology patients can be treated using propofol. The hemodynamic side effects and the rare but potentially fatal PRIS are limitations. Further developments address the water solubility and the solubilizing agents of propofol.

Comparison of the effects of isoflurane versus propofol-remifentanil anesthesia on oxygen delivery during thoracoscopic lung lobectomy with one-lung ventilation in dogs

This study compared effects of isoflurane inhalation (ISO) and propofol-remifentanil combined total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on oxygenation during thoracoscopic lung lobectomy with 30-min one-lung ventilation (1LV). Thoracoscopic right middle lung lobectomy was performed in ten dogs divided into ISO and TIVA groups, and cardiopulmonary parameters were measured with blood gas analysis. Throughout the study, isoflurane was inhaled up to 1.5%, and the infusion rates of propofol and remifentanil were 0.2 to 0.4 mg/kg/min and 6 to 11 µg/kg/h, respectively. Cardiac index was not affected in the ISO group, but it increased during 1LV in the TIVA group. There were significant alterations in arterial oxygen pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, oxygen content, and shunt fraction associated with 1LV in each group. However, oxygen delivery did not decrease significantly due to open chest condition, 1LV, or surgical maneuver in either group, rather it increased during 1LV in the TIVA group. All parameters showed no significant difference between groups. Pulmonary vascular resistant index was unaffected in both groups, and there was no difference between groups except in re-ventilation phase. Accordingly, the effect of both anesthetic regimens on oxygenation was not different between groups and can be used with short-term 1LV for thoracoscopic lung lobectomy in dogs.

Anesthesia for interventional pulmonology procedures: a review of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy

PURPOSE

Interventional pulmonology is a growing subspecialty of pulmonary medicine with flexible and rigid bronchoscopies increasingly used by interventional pulmonologists for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This review discusses different technical aspects of anesthesia for interventional pulmonary procedures with an emphasis placed on pharmacologic combinations, airway management, ventilation techniques, and common complications.

SOURCE

Relevant medical literature was identified by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for publications on different anesthesia topics applicable to interventional pulmonary procedures. Cited literature included case reports, original research articles, review articles, meta-analyses, guidelines, and official society statements.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Interventional pulmonology is a rapidly growing area of medicine. Anesthesiologists need to be familiar with different considerations required for every procedure, particularly as airway access is a shared responsibility with pulmonologists. Depending on the individual case characteristics, a different selection of airway method, ventilation mode, and pharmacologic combination may be required. Most commonly, airways are managed with supraglottic devices or endotracheal tubes. Nevertheless, patients with central airway obstruction or tracheal stenosis may require rigid bronchoscopy and jet ventilation. Although anesthetic approaches may vary depending on factors such as the length, complexity, and acuity of the procedure, the majority of patients are anesthetized using a total intravenous anesthetic technique.

CONCLUSIONS

It is fundamental for the anesthesia provider to be updated on interventional pulmonology procedures in this rapidly growing area of medicine.

The safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine-remifentanil in children undergoing flexible bronchoscopy: A retrospective dose-finding trial

Flexible bronchoscopy is more and more used for diagnosis and management of various pulmonary diseases in pediatrics. As poor coordination of children, the procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia with spontaneous or controlled ventilation to increase children and bronchoscopists' safety and comfort. Previous studies have reported that dexmedetomidine (DEX) could be safely and effectively used for flexible bronchoscopy in both adulate and children. However, there is no trial to evaluate the dose-finding of safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine-remifentanil (DEX-RF) in children undergoing flexible bronchoscopy.The objective of this study is to evaluate the dose-finding of safety and efficacy of DEX-RF in children undergoing flexible bronchoscopy.One hundred thirty-five children undergoing flexible bronchoscopy with DEX-RF were divided into 3 groups: Group DR1 (n = 47, DEX infusion at 0.5 μg·kg for 10 minutes, then adjusted to 0.5-0.7 μg kg h; RF infusion at 0.5 μg kg for 2 minutes, then adjusted to 0.05-0.2 μg kg min), Group DR2 (n = 43, DEX infusion at 1 μg kg for 10 minutes, then adjusted to 0.5-0.7 μg kg h; RF infusion at 1 μg kg for 2 minutes, then adjusted to 0.05-0.2 μg kg min), Group DR3 (n = 45, DEX infusion at 1.5 μg kg for 10 minutes, then adjusted to 0.5-0.7 μg kg h; RF infusion at 1 μg kg for 2 minutes, then adjusted to 0.05-0.2 μg kg min). Ramsay sedation scale of the 3 groups was maintained 3. Anesthesia onset time, total number of intraoperative children movements, hemodynamics (heart rate, arterial pressure, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate), total cumulative dose of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil, the amount of midazolam and lidocaine, time to first dose of rescue midazolam and lidocaine, postoperative recovery time, adverse events, bronchoscopist satisfaction score were recorded.Anesthesia onset time was significantly shorter in DR3 group (14.23 ± 5.45 vs 14.45 ± 5.12 vs 11.13 ± 4.51 minutes, respectively, of DR1, DR2, DR3, P = 0.003). Additionally, the perioperative hemodynamic profile was more stable in group DR3 than that in the other 2 groups. Total number of children movements during flexible bronchoscopy was higher in DR1 group than the other 2 groups (46.81% 22/47 vs 34.88% 15/43 vs 17.78% 8/45, respectively, of DR1, DR2, DR3, P = 0.012). Total doses of rescue midazolam and lidocaine were significantly higher in DR1 and DR2 groups than that of DR3 group (P = 0.000). The time to first dose of rescue midazolam and lidocaine was significantly longer in DR3 group than DR1 and DR2 groups (P = 0.000). Total cumulative dose of dexmedetomidine was more in DR2 and DR3 groups (P = 0.000), while the amount of remifentanil was more in DR1 and DR2 groups (P = 0.000). The time to recovery for discharge from the PACU was significantly shorter in DR1 group compared with the other 2 groups (P = 0.000). Results from bronchoscopist satisfaction score showed significantly higher in DR2 and DR3 groups than that of DR1 group (P = 0.025). There were significant differences among the 3 groups in terms of the overall incidence of hypertension, tachycardia, hypoxemia, and cough (P < 0.05).Though it required longer recovery time, high dose of DEX-RF, which provided better stable hemodynamic profiles and bronchoscopist satisfaction score, less amount of rescue scheme, and children movements, could be safely and efficacy used in children undergoing flexible bronchoscopy.

The anesthesia of trachea and bronchus surgery

The trachea and bronchus surgery is generally performed due to stenosis, traumatic injury, foreign body and tumors. Preoperative evaluation and anesthesia management are very important issues because of higher mortality and morbidity rates. Patients may be asymptomatic, but airway difficulties, hypoxia, stridor, cough, hemoptysis are common conditions in these patient population. The collaboration between the surgeon and the anesthesiologist is very substantial and necessary. Anesthetic techniques include various applications such as one lung ventilation, fiberoptic intubation, jet ventilation, and apneic oxygenation, general anesthesia with or without neuromuscular blockade. In this review, anesthesia management of the trachea and bronchus surgery is evaluated in the light of new knowledge.

Effect of Intraoperative and Postoperative Infusion of Dexmedetomidine on the Quality of Postoperative Analgesia in Highly Nicotine-Dependent Patients After Thoracic Surgery: A CONSORT-Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Smoking is one of the most common addictions in the world. Nicotine inhalation could increase the risk of cardiorespiratory diseases. However, the solution that improved postoperative analgesia for highly nicotine-dependent patients undergoing thoracic surgery has not been specifically addressed.This CONSORT-prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial investigated the efficacy of combination of dexmedetomidine and sufentanil for highly nicotine (Fagerstrom test of nicotine dependence ≥6)-dependent patients after thoracic surgery.One hundred seventy-four male patients who underwent thoracic surgery were screened between February 2014 and November 2014, and a total of forty-nine were excluded. One hundred thirty-two highly nicotine-dependent male patients who underwent thoracic surgery and received postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia were divided into 3 groups after surgery in this double-blind, randomized study: sufentanil (0.02 μg/kg/h, Group S), sufentanil plus dexmedetomidine (0.02 μg/kg/h each, Group D1), or sufentanil (0.02 μg/kg/h) plus dexmedetomidine (0.04 μg/kg/h) (Group D2). The patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) program was programmed to deliver a bolus dose of 2 ml, with background infusion of 2 ml/h and a lockout of 5 min, 4-hour limit of 40 ml, as our retrospective study. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative amount of self-administered sufentanil; the secondary outcome measures were pain intensity (numerical rating scale, NRS), level of sedation (LOS), Bruggrmann comfort scale (BCS), functional activity score (FAS), and concerning adverse effects.The amount of self-administered sufentanil were lower in group D2 compared with S and D1 groups during the 72 hours after surgery (P < 0.05), whereas the total dosage and dosage per body weight of sufentanil were significantly lower in D1 group than that of S group only at 4, 8, and 16 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). Compared with S group, the NRS scores at rest at 1, 4, and 8 hours after surgery and with coughing at 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours after surgery were significantly lower in D2 group (P < 0.05). However, compared with D1 group, the NRS scores both at rest and with coughing at 4 and 8 hours after surgery were significantly lower in D2 group (P < 0.05). The NRS scores both at rest and with coughing show that there were no significant differences between D1 group and S group at each time point after surgery (P > 0.05). LOS of group D2 was higher than S and D1 groups at 1 hour after surgery (P < 0.05), BCS of group D2 was higher than S and D1 groups at 4, 8, and 16 hours after surgery (P < 0.05), and FAS of group D2 was higher than S and D1 groups at 48 and 72 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). The number of rescue analgesia during 72 hours after surgery in D2 group was lower than S and D1 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the 3 groups in terms of baseline clinical characteristics and postoperative adverse effects except for itching (P > 0.05).Among the tested patient-controlled analgesia options, the addition of dexmedetomidine (0.04 μg/kg/h) and sufentanil (0.02 μg/kg/h) showed better analgesic effect and greater patient satisfaction without other clinically relevant side effects for highly nicotine-dependent patients during the initial 72 hours after thoracic surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

chictr.org (ChiCTR-TRC-14004191).

Target-Controlled Infusion of Remifentanil Without Muscle Relaxants Allows Acceptable Surgical Conditions During Thoracotomy Performed Under Sevoflurane Anesthesia

OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that the use of a nonmuscle relaxant anesthetic technique (NMRT) during thoracotomy would be associated with comparable surgical conditions with the standard use of neuromuscular blocking drugs.

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled study.

SETTING

A single university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty-six patients scheduled for open thoracotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia with a target-controlled infusion (TCI) of remifentanil.

INTERVENTIONS

After ethical approval, patients were randomly assigned to receive cisatracurium or saline (n = 33 for each group) during the entire study period.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The four-point ordinal surgical rating scale, the intubating conditions, the use of anesthetics and vasopressors, the incidence of light anesthesia (defined as an episode with state entropy values that exceeded 50 and/or mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate values that exceeded the baseline by 20% and lasted for more than 3 consecutive minutes), and the times to clinical recovery and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge, hospital stays, and postoperative residual curarization (PORC) were recorded. Compared with the use of cisatracurium, the use of NMRT resulted in comparable good-to-excellent surgical rating scales (90.9% v 94.0%, respectively; p = 0.642), good-to-excellent laryngoscopy and endobronchial intubating conditions (93.9% v 100%, respectively; p>0.09), use of anesthetic and vasopressor medications, and hospital stays, together with shorter clinical recovery, extubation times (7.6 [95% CI 6.82 to 8.39] v 19.0 [95% CI 15.76 to 22.23] minutes, respectively; p<0.001), and PACU stays (37.4 [95% CI 35.09 to 39.79] v 70.9 [95% CI 56.90 to 84.91] minutes, respectively; p<0.001). The use of cisatracurium resulted in a nonstatistical number of light anesthesia episodes upon positioning, skin incision, and rib separation (p>0.624, with Fisher's exact test). There were no failed intubations in the 2 groups. No patient received cisatracurium in the NMRT group. Two patients (6.1%) in the cisatracurium group experienced PORC that required tracheal intubation in the PACU.

CONCLUSION

The use of TCI of remifentanil with NMRT offers acceptable laryngoscopy, intubating, and surgical conditions during sevoflurane anesthesia for open thoracotomy, especially when. the anesthesiologists have more than 10 years' experience.

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy and remifentanil target-controlled infusion in ICU: a preliminary study

PURPOSE

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) is a major diagnostic tool commonly used in intensive care unit (ICU). However, it generates discomfort and pain and can worsen respiratory and/or hemodynamic condition of critically ill patients. Remifentanil is an ultrashort-acting opioid drug that has been shown to provide effective sedation for painful procedures in spontaneous breathing patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sedation with remifentanil target-controlled infusion (Remi-TCI) in patients with spontaneous ventilation undergoing FFB in ICU.

METHODS

Monocentric prospective study. All patients received Remi-TCI with initial effect-site target concentration of 2 ng/mL, progressively titrated according to their comfort and sedation. Respiratory and hemodynamic parameters were assessed before, during, and after the procedure, as well as comfort, level of sedation, FFB conditions, and recovery patterns. Global Remi-TCI data and potential complications of the procedure were also recorded.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were included. FFB was successful in all patients with good conditions (sedation, global comfort, and cough). No severe hemodynamic or respiratory complications occurred during procedure. Maximum target concentration and total dose of remifentanil were 2.5 ng/mL (2-4 ng/mL) and 1.4 μg/kg (0.7-2.4 μg/kg), respectively, over 10 min. Patients reported low level of pain and good satisfaction with the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

FFB under sedation with Remi-TCI seems to be safe and effective in critically ill patients with spontaneous ventilation. Such results could be the first step towards wider use of Remi-TCI in patients experiencing awkward and/or painful procedures in this setting.

Anesthesia for bronchoscopy and interventional pulmonology: from moderate sedation to jet ventilation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The field of interventional bronchoscopy has seen an evolving need for different types of anesthesia for various procedures. This review describes recent advances in the field of anesthesiology that have increased the suitability of conscious sedation under monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia for prolonged and complex interventional bronchoscopic procedures, especially those performed on severely ill patients. Additionally, the pros and cons of performing bronchoscopic procedures in the bronchoscopy suite versus the operating room are analyzed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although conscious sedation is the most commonly used form of anesthesia for simple bronchoscopic procedures, general anesthesia is emerging as a more appropriate technique for newer, more complex interventional bronchoscopic procedures. Large interventional pulmonology departments have state-of-the-art bronchoscopy suites in which both conscious sedation and general anesthesia are used. New advances in the field of anesthesiology such as the laryngeal mask airway, short-acting anesthetics with minimal effect on respiratory function, and mechanical jet ventilators are well suited for interventional bronchoscopic procedures.

SUMMARY

Interventional bronchoscopists are encouraged to examine the pros and cons of different types of anesthesia for various bronchoscopic procedures.

Airway catastrophes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The article reviews the epidemiology of airway injuries, airway anatomy, techniques for airway management, helpful pharmacologic adjuncts and finally alternatives to airway manipulation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Principles of airway management including the maintenance of spontaneous ventilation and careful and adequate preparation for an alternative plan will always be important. Advances in pharmacologic agents provide a safer, more controlled environment through which the patient's compromised airway can be controlled. Recent publications add to the evidence that alternative methods of oxygenation and ventilation such as cardiopulmonary bypass can be used successfully to treat patients with catastrophic airway injuries.

SUMMARY

Trauma to the airway, either blunt or penetrating or iatrogenic, can result in significant patient morbidity and mortality. Although, relatively rare, if we practice long enough, each of us will encounter such a patient. The anesthesiologist must be familiar with airway anatomy and the location of injury for successful treatment. Along with airway injuries, associated injuries are common and often complicate definitive airway treatment. Modern anesthetic medications such as dexmedetomidine and proven techniques such as awake fiberoptic intubation can be used to safely treat these difficult patients. Alternative therapies such as cricothyroidotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass should be available if first-line therapies fail to secure an injured airway.

Emergent management of malignancy-related acute airway obstruction

Acute obstruction of the airway in the emergent situation results from a wide variety of malignant and benign disease processes. Acute management involves establishing a secure and patent route for adequate gas exchange. This requires rapid determination of the location of the obstruction and nature of the obstruction followed by a thoughtful management approach based on findings. Difficult anatomy, hemorrhage, dense secretions, inflammation, and bulky tumor mass can significantly complicate the task of clearing the airway. Obstruction of the central airways by malignant tumor is associated with poor prognosis, but quality of life is considerably improved by restoration of adequate central airways. For both the patient and the clinician, the presentation can be frightening, and advanced interventional pulmonary/endobronchial techniques are required to achieve prompt relief of symptoms. The alleviation of central airway obstruction by tumor is most often palliative, with improvement of quality of life the primary goal rather than cure. This review will cover covers an approach to the patient with airway obstruction that results from malignancy involving the trachea or proximal bronchial tree and affecting gas exchange.