Key result
A 54-year-old morbidly obese man experienced a fatal can't intubate/can't ventilate scenario during induction for knee surgery, highlighting the critical need for proper pre-positioning.
Case Report (n=1)
This case report highlights the critical importance of proper pre-positioning and having backup airway plans to prevent catastrophic airway failures in morbidly obese patients.
Fatal airway failure in obesity warrants caution with intubation; case report leaves open optimal backup strategies.
The following scenario is a synopsis of the anesthesiologist’s worst nightmare: can’t intubate / can’t ventilate. This ongoing concern in anesthesiology is being revisited in light of the personal observation that as the prevalence of obesity increases, standard oral intubation is becoming more difficult. The following summary is based on an actual closed claim case. DIFFICULT INTUBATION IN THE OBESE PATIENT SDRP Journal of Anesthesia & Surgery (ISSN: 2473-2184)
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Craig Troop (2017) conducted a case report in Obesity and difficult airway (n=1). Airway management was evaluated. A 54-year-old morbidly obese man experienced a fatal can't intubate/can't ventilate scenario during induction for knee surgery, highlighting the critical need for proper pre-positioning.
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