Successful lightwand-guided intubation in a patient with long standing ankylosing spondylitis who had failed intubation with other intubation tools.

Abstract

Tracheal intubation in patients with cervical arthroplasty with occlusion of the upper airway frequently poses great difficulty. The purpose of this case study was to discuss lightwand tracheal intubation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through exploring a successful lightwand-guided intubation case of a patient with AS. The patient was a 61-year-old male suffering from a fixed extension-flexion deformity that affected mobility in his entire spine. Any methods including GlideScope, I-gel were failed. Tracheal intubation using lightwand was only successful. Based on this case, we would like to suggest that using a lightwand in cases of AS may be appropriate.