The successful management of tracheal stenosis requires compromise between the competing interests of the surgical and anaesthetic teams and the resources available. A seven-year-old girl with marked tracheal stenosis was successfully managed spontaneously breathing via an open trachea and a laryngeal mask. Anaesthesia was maintained by propofol infusion. When the trachea was opened, supplemental oxygen was administered via a modified cholangiocatheter placed into the distal segment. At no point was the trachea intubated.
