Spur-of-the-Moment: An Exacting Nasal Intubation

Abstract

Nasotracheal intubations are an important airway management technique in otolaryngologic surgeries and trauma distorting oropharyngeal structures. For those performing these procedures, nasal deformities are not uncommon. This case report highlights an example of recurrent cuff tears that occurred during nasotracheal intubation of a patient with an unknown nasal bone spur. A careful airway analysis with available imaging studies may predict the potential difficulty with nasotracheal intubation. A successful approach to nasotracheal intubation can then be attempted on the contralateral side if a nasal bone spur is present.

Keywords: intubation complication; nasal bone spur; nasal septal deviation; nasal septum; nasal spur; nasotracheal intubation; nasotracheal intubation complications; prolonged intubation; spur; tube cuff tears.