A POST MAXILLECTOMY CASE POSTED FOR ETHMOIDAL AND FRONTAL MUCOCELE DRAINAGE: A DIFFICULT AIRWAY

Keywords

difficult airway, paranasal sinuses, bag and mask ventilation.

Abstract

Difficult airway management is itself a test of skills and techniques of an anaesthesiologist. Managing a difficult airway is a most challenging task. Out of all the specialities it is encountered most of the times in ENT surgeries. Large tumours, extending to the airway and larynx, neck rigidity, trauma, short neck and obesity associated with thyroid disorders, all these factors attribute to difficulty in securing airway in terminally ill patients. In this case report, we present a case of 61 year old female, who has undergone maxillectomy and is now posted for endoscopic sinus surgery. This patient’s left cheek was hollow and was a case of difficult bag and mask ventilation. Here, apart from airway management, we have given more significance to the technique of bag and mask ventilation. Thereby, every physician who needs to perform intubation has to be familiar with the evaluation of the difficult airway and must also be able to use different tools and techniques available to manage a difficult airway, thus preventing morbidity and mortality.