Application of Lateral Position Digestive Endoscopy-Guided Endotracheal Intubation in Anesthesia for Endoscopic Diagnosis and Therapy

A Novel Endoscopy-Guided Airway Management Strategy for Lateral Decubitus Endoscopic Procedures

This case series study evaluated whether placing a breathing tube using a camera (gastrointestinal endoscope) is safe and effective for patients lying on their left side during stomach and intestine exams under anesthesia. The main questions were:

How often does the tube placement work on the first try? How long does it take to place the tube? Are there any safety issues, like injuries or breathing problems?

Researchers enrolled 40 adults needing anesthesia for stomach/intestine exams. All participants had the breathing tube placed while lying on their left side using the camera-guided method. The steps included:

Positioning the patient on their left side with head/neck support. Inserting a lubricated camera through the mouth to view the throat. Placing the breathing tube into the windpipe under direct camera view.

The method avoided the risks of moving anesthetized patients from their back to the side. It may reduce risks linked to repositioning patients during surgery. Future studies with more participants and different medical teams are needed to confirm these results.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The study population comprised individuals requiring endotracheal intubation during elective gastrointestinal endoscopy in the left lateral position

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who declined informed consent were excluded