The Modified Nasal Trumpet: Revisiting a Novel Technique in Management of the Difficult Airway

Abstract

Objective: 1) Highlight an underutilized method for use of the nasal trumpet in management of the difficult airway. 2) Review the application of this technique in multiple clinical scenarios.

Method: Report of technique and application in airway management.

Results: There are a multitude of techniques and devices available to assist with intubation and ventilation for both the difficult patient and those that do not pose a significant challenge in airway management. The use of a nasal trumpet with an endotracheal tube connector represents an additional means of establishing ventilation and providing inhalational anesthesia. This technique has proven extremely useful to the senior author over many years in the pediatric population in a wide variety of clinical scenarios. We review the technique and clinical application.

Conclusion: The use of the modified nasal trumpet has been previously reported in the anesthesiology literature, but represents a critical skill and technique of airway management that should be familiar to all otolaryngologists.