Kuut et al. Controlled mechanical ventilation through a narrow bore lumen during tracheal surgery. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2022

Dr. Kuut and colleagues present the first prospective observational study on the use of Tritube and Evone during open airway surgery. Ten patients scheduled for tracheal surgery with segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis were initially included. Two patients had to be excluded due to the distal location of the tracheal lesion. The remaining eight patients were intubated with Tritube and ventilated using the FCV mode of Evone throughout the procedure. Except for one patient, were the initially orally placed Tritube needed to be reintubated nasally, no cross-field intubation and intermittent periods of apnea were required. Respiratory and hemodynamic data were within normal clinical range for all patients. Tritube with a deflated cuff was well tolerated upon emergence from anesthesia, and no mask ventilation or reintubation was needed post-operatively. With its small outer diameter, Tritube provided favorable conditions for visual assessment of the surgical site, and could be left in situ throughout the surgical procesures in most cases. The authors report that Tritube has become their preferred device for airway management during upper and mid tracheal surgeries.