Use of the Laryngeal Mask Airway-Aintree Intubating Catheter-fiberoptic bronchoscope technique for difficult intubation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intubation using an Aintree Intubation Catheter (AIC), fiberoptic intubation (FOB), and Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) is safe and effective for securing the airway in patients who are difficult to intubate after induction of general anesthesia.

DESIGN: Retrospective review of departmental difficult airway database procedures completed between July 2006 and December 2009.

SETTING: Academic medical center.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During the study period, 128 of 500 patients entered into the difficult airway database underwent the LMA-AIC-FOB technique for intubation. One hundred nineteen (93%) of the 128 patients were successfully intubated by the LMA-AIC-FOB technique, and 9 required an alternate technique. No patient who underwent the LMA-AIC-FOB technique experienced an airway-related mortality or required an emergency surgical airway procedure.

CONCLUSION: The LMA-AIC-FOB technique is safe and effective for patients who are difficult to intubate after induction of anesthesia.