Airway management techniques in head and neck cancer surgeries: a retrospective analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of modalities of airway management and its impact on patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgeries.

Materials and methods: A retrospective review of the medical record of 500 patients operated from January 2008 to December 2013 was conducted at our institute. Patients were reviewed for a mode of airway management, a total length of post-operative hospital stay (PLOS), and incidence of elderly patients in the total number of head and neck cancer surgeries posted for various diagnostic and definitive treatments.

Results: Out of 500 patients, 462 patients (92.4%) underwent nasal intubation, of which 320 underwent fiberoptic (FO) intubation (64%), 7 underwent tracheotomies after completion of surgery (1.4%), and 3 underwent at the beginning of surgery (0.6%). The remaining 38 patients (7.6%) underwent oral intubation.

Conclusion: Nasotracheal intubation using fiberoptic bronchoscopy is the most preferred technique for the management of a difficult airway. Efficient airway management during the perioperative period significantly reduces the post-operative length of hospital stay and morbidity.