Retrograde fiberoptic intubation

Abstract

This technical note aims to introduce a new approach for intubation of patients with restricted

mouth opening in cases that conventional and fiberoptic-assisted endotracheal intubation are not

possible. The proposed technique is a modification to the previously well-established retrograde

intubation method. The main advantage of this new technique is the employment of fiberscope for

direct visualization which eliminates the use of guide wire. The endotracheal tube enters through

the nostril and is railroaded using the fiberscope as a guide. Using this new technique can prevent

the complications of tracheostomy and the traditional retrograde intubation in patients that anterograde

intubation is not feasible. The promising result of conducting the intubation with this

approach can be considered the basis for future clinical investigation.