Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 June 2011
We report a unique complication arising from the use of a Hunsaker Mon-Jet ventilation tube during microlaryngeal surgery, and we briefly review the literature on the use of this tube for jet ventilation.
A case report on the safe and successful management of a potential airway compromise, and a brief literature review on using the Hunsaker Mon-Jet ventilation tube during microlaryngeal surgery.
A 46-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo removal of a vocal cord polyp under general anaesthesia. However, the polyp became stuck in the basket of the Hunsaker tube during intubation. The polyp and the Hunsaker tube were removed safely after a microlaryngeal tube was passed beyond the vocal cords. To our knowledge, this complication has not previously been reported.
This case highlights the potential risk of laryngeal growths, especially vocal cord polyps, becoming trapped in the Hunsaker tube during intubation. Both the anaesthetist and the operating surgeon should be aware of this possible complication and, more importantly, how to deal with such a problem.