Successful endotracheal intubation guided by tracheal ultrasonography in a critical patient with a difficult airway
Behnan Gulunay
Department of Emergency Medicine, Sivas State Hospital, Sivas, Türkiye
Keywords: Difficult airway, endotracheal intubation, real‑time ultrasound guidance, tracheal ultrasonography
Abstract
In critical care, effective airway management, especially during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is vital. Endotracheal intubation, although common, poses challenges in patients with difficult airways. Traditional methods for confirming tube placement, particularly during CPR, can be unreliable. Tracheal ultrasonography is emerging as a valuable tool for guiding intubation and confirming tube placement in real time. A case of a 72 year old with respiratory distress, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure is described. Despite initial treatment, emergency intubation was necessary, but the initial attempt failed due to a difficult airway. Tracheal ultrasonography guided the intubation process and confirmed tube placement in real time, leading to successful intubation and improved outcomes. This technique shows promise in optimizing airway management during CPR, offering real time visualization, and minimizing complications. This case underscores the potential of ultrasound guided techniques in emergency airway management. Further research is needed to fully understand their benefits and limitations in such settings.
How to cite this article: Gulunay B. Successful endotracheal intubation guided by tracheal ultrasonography in a critical patient with a difficult airway. Turk J Emerg Med 2025;25:139-42.
The author certifies obtaining appropriate patient consent forms. Consent was obtained from the patient’s daughter, as the patient had passed away in the intensive care unit. The daughter consented to report her father’s images and clinical information in the journal, with the assurance of anonymity measures.
BG conceived and designed the study, analyzed and curated data, wrote the preliminary draft, and took responsibility for data integrity and accuracy. BG also collected, edited, and reviewed the final manuscript and approved it for submission.
None Declared.
None.