Intraoperative kinking of armored endotracheal tube leading to airway obstruction in obese patients positioned prone for spine surgeries: A report of two cases

Obesity is an important problem with increasing incidence in affluent society. Managing obese patients in prone positions under general anesthesia requires optimization and adequate preparation for a successful outcome. Despite all optimizing measures are taken preoperatively, complications such as kinking of armored endotracheal tubes may take place in these patients in prone position leading to problems during mechanical ventilation. Armored tubes are being widely used in anesthesia practice in surgeries involving procedures during which kinking are anticipated. There have been reports of armored tube kinking both intraorally and extraorally in the prone position. Hence, prompt anticipation of tube kinking is desirable, especially in obese patients (increased neck circumference and submental fat) positioned prone. Herewith, we report two cases of unusual complication of armored tube kinking in prone position in obese patients.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-SA

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