Airway management in a patient with severe tracheal stenosis: bilateral superficial cervical plexus block with dexmedetomidine sedation.

ABSTRACT

A 54-year-old woman with a history of severe tracheal stenosis caused by papillary thyroid cancer with tracheal invasion was admitted for an elective surgery. A bilateral superficial cervical plexus block with 0.5 % ropivacaine 14 ml (7 ml per side) under dexmedetomidine sedation was performed, followed by tracheal dissection and endotracheal tube (ETT) insertion. The patient continued spontaneous respiration without any hypoxic event, and the bispectral index was maintained at a range of 50-80. After ETT insertion, a total thyroidectomy and tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis were performed under general anesthesia. The patient was transferred to the surgical intensive care unit after extubation, and she recovered without any complications.