Massive Epistaxis during Nasotracheal Intubation

Abstract

A 30-year-old man with morbid obesity (height: 176 cm, body weight: 100 kg, body mass index: 32.28) was scheduled for reconstruction of the mandibular fracture. During induction of general anesthesia and nasotracheal intubation, we experienced massive epistaxis, hypoxemia and difficult airway management. Fortunately, we performed oro-tracheal intubation with direct laryngoscopy and it barely succeeded. He recovered without any residual complications and rescheduled seven days later and wesuccessfully performed awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation. The patient discharged on the fourth postoperative day.Key Words: Epistaxis, Hypoxemia, Nasotracheal intubation Received: 2013. 4. 24.•Revised: 2013. 6. 28.•Accepted: 2013