Case Report
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World J Anesthesiol. Mar 27, 2014; 3(1): 129-133
Published online Mar 27, 2014. doi: 10.5313/wja.v3.i1.129
Endoscopic removal of a self-expanding metallic airway stent: A case report
Ying Amy Ye, Michael S Machuzak, D John Doyle
Ying Amy Ye, Michael S Machuzak, D John Doyle, Departments of General Anesthesiology (YAY, DJD) and Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (MSM), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
Author contributions: Ye YA wrote the first draft of the manuscript and assisted with the anesthetic; Machuzak MS performed the procedure and edited the manuscript; Doyle DJ provided anesthesia for the procedure, edited the original manuscript and revised the manuscript following peer-review.
Correspondence to: D John Doyle, MD, PhD, Departments of General Anesthesiology (YAY, DJD) and Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (MSM), Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States. doylej@ccf.org
Telephone: +1-216-4441927 Fax: +1-216-4449247.
Received: July 26, 2013
Revised: August 19, 2013
Accepted: August 28, 2013
Published online: March 27, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Endoscopic removal of self-expanding metallic airway stents may be necessitated by the formation of extensive granulation tissue, but can pose difficult challenges to both the proceduralist and the anesthesiologist. Total intravenous anesthesia utilizing a propofol infusion and rocuronium for neuromuscular blockade can be useful in such cases. Induction of general anesthesia with etomidate can be useful in patients with poor ventricular function. Airway management can be achieved with an iGel supraglottic airway and later, rigid bronchoscopy.