Clinical study of awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation for difficult opening mouth patients

: The intubation technique for those surgical patients considered to be difficult intubation were classically managed by blind nasotracheal intubation, tracheostomy and so forth. These procedures are rather invasive and resulted in post-operative complications. 30 adult patients of ASA class II-III with difficulty in intubation were chosen to receive awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation. Our aim of study is to evaluate the change of blood pressure, heart rate and SaO2 of these patients at 4 stages: I) preanesthesia II) transtracheal local block III) during intubation IV) post-intubation. As a result, there were no significant difference in comparing the parameters among these 4 stages. Additionally, fiberoptic guiding provide a direct vision on the way of intubation, enhance the successful rate of difficult intubation and minimize further trauma and discomfort to the patients. Therefore fiberoptic intubation may suitable in patients with difficult intubation.