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Laryngeal papillomas: Not so innocent! C- MAC D-blade to the rescue
S B Shah
1*
, A K Bhargava
2
Consultant
1
, Director
2
, Department of Anaesthesia,
Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Sector-5, Rohini, Delhi, India.
*Corresponding author: drshagun_2010@rediffmail.com
Laryngeal papillomatosis is a rare throat infection which is potentially fatal without treatment as it
leads to varying degrees of airway obstruction. CO
2
LASER removal is the most common mode of
treatment used. Anaesthesia for laser surgery entails two major complications, namely airway fires
and difficult ventilation. The C-Mac D-blade is a valuable new addition to the anaesthetist’s
armamentarium to overcome critical events like sudden airway obstruction by laryngeal
papillomas.
Keywords: laryngeal papillomas; airway obstruction; C-Mac D-blade
Introduction
Laryngeal papillomatosis is a rare medical
condition caused by HPV (Human Papilloma
Virus types 6 and 11) infection of the throat. It is
potentially fatal without treatment as uncontrolled
growth of papillomata could obstruct the airway.
Papillomas recur frequently and may require
repetitive surgery and antiviral therapy.
1,2
Symptoms in adults are a hoarse or strained voice
dictated by the size and placement of the tumors.
In small children breathing difficulties occur more
commonly and symptoms include a weak cry,
difficulty in swallowing, noisy breathing, and
chronic cough.
1,3,4
The diagnostic confirmatory
method is a biopsy done under general anaesthesia
followed by histopathology for HPV. Laryngeal
papillomatosis is most often misdiagnosed
as asthma, croup, or chronic bronchitis with
serious consequences. Papillomas partially
obstructing the airway cause these symptoms and
should be removed immediately. Carbon dioxide
laser removal is the most common method used.
4,5
Case Report
We present the case of a robust 50year old, 60kg
Nepali Police Officer. His presenting complaint
was change of voice for the last 6 months. He was
a chronic alcoholic, and a known diabetic and
hypertensive for the past 10 years. There was no
history suggestive of obstructive sleep apnoea. His
airway was assessed as Mallampati grade III.
Rhinophyma was an incidental finding. Direct
fibreoptic laryngoscopy by the ENT surgeon
revealed a small polypoidal growth seemingly
amenable to laser excision.
The patient was premedicated with midazolam
1mg i.v. five minutes before induction. A
6.5mmID microlaryngeal surgery (MLS) tube was
made laser proof by wrapping an aluminium foil
ribbon. Inhalational induction with sevoflurane
was commenced and intravenous fentanyl 60µg
was given. Once assisted ventilation was assessed
to be adequate, 30mg atracurium was given
intravenously. Suddenly, the patient’s airway got
obstructed, manual ventilation became ineffective
and the pulse oximeter displayed a decreasing
saturation. The C-Mac D-Blade was used to
visualize the larynx where a large ominous –
looking pedunculated polyp was seen acting like a
ball- valve. On its either side minor papillomas
were seen, three on the right and two on the left
side (Figure 1).
Figure 1 View of laryngeal inlet prior to
intubation
Before waiting for the single twitches to disappear
on the peripheral nerve stimulator the MLS tube
was introduced into the trachea, without pushing
the polyp inwards, resulting in prompt relief of the
airway obstruction. The MLS tube cuff was
inflated with methylene blue dye and its position
confirmed by auscultation and capnography.
During Laser excision oxygen concentration was
reduced to 25% in air and sevoflurane.
Hydrocortisone 100mg was given intravenously.
Prior to reversal a direct laryngoscopy was
performed with a McIntosh laryngoscopic blade
and all secretions were cleared. The airway was
Cormack and Lehanne grade 3. After reversal of
neuromuscular blockade the patient was
spontaneously inspiring a tidal volume of 350ml
per breath with a respiratory rate of 15-16bpm.
On extubation, the patient developed stridor. On
visualization with a C -Mac D- blade (without an
anaesthetic) there were numerous small stumps as
well as a whole pedunculated papilloma
obstructing the larynx (Figure 2).
Figure 2 View of laryngeal inlet after extubation
The trachea was immediately intubated with a
cuffed endotracheal tube. A percutaneous
dilatational tracheostomy was then performed as a
temporary measure. Two days later the patient was
subjected to laser excision of remaining laryngeal
papillomas. The tracheostomy tube was removed
after five days and the patient was able to maintain
his airway adequately.
Discussion
Laser surgery offers several advantages to the
surgeon and patient: microscopic precision, a
bloodless operative field, and sterility. A
preoperative visit to determine the degree of
existing airway obstruction is mandatory in
deciding the safest anaesthetic technique for
microlaryngeal surgery.
6,7
Assessment of the
degree of obstruction is typically accomplished
clinically by evaluating the patient’s use of
accessory muscles, quality of voice, respiratory
rate, and resting oxygen saturation. Elective
tracheostomy is avoided to limit the spread of the
virus. A surgical airway is still part of the
emergency airway algorithm for these patients.
5,6
Continued communication and cooperation
between the surgeon and anaesthesiologist
throughout the procedure will help minimize the
conflicting needs for airway access and
ventilation.
The recently introduced D- blade (Karl Storz,
Tuttlingen, Germany) was essentially designed for
the management of a difficult airway.
8,9,10
It
extends the assortment of different blade forms
adaptive for the videolaryngoscopic C-Mac system
and shows a pronounced angulation of 40º. Like
all C-Mac blades, the D-blade incorporates a small
camera chip with an embedded optical lens with
an aperture angle of 80º, located laterally in the
distal third of the steel blade. The D Blade’s
camera and light socket is located nearer (40mm)
to its tip, which is bent for another 20º. A high
power LED serves as a light source.
9,10
Presence of
the rhinophyma prompted us to choose
inhalational induction using C-Mac D-blade over
awake nasal fibreoptic intubation.
Two serious events occurred in the management of
this case. Firstly during induction, we encountered
an inability to ventilate situation despite having
assessed ventilation prior to administering a long
acting relaxant. The existence of a large
pedunculated polyp was missed by the surgical
colleagues during their assessment. The C- Mac
videolaryngoscopy helped to examine the
laryngeal inlet in an already difficult airway
(Mallampati III) and also helped in intubating with
precision.
Secondly, during the reversal and subsequent
extubation we encountered airway obstruction.
This time it was due to inadequate laser removal
of the polyps which had been pushed deeper
beyond the vocal cords by the MLS tube on
intubation and had reemerged on extubation, along
with the tube. A subsequent intubation with the C-
Mac D-blade followed by a percutaneous
dilatational tracheostomy helped to tide over the
crises.
Conclusion
The C- Mac D- blade proved to be an asset during
both critical events leading to airway obstruction,
as the exact nature of the obstructing lesion was
magnified and displayed clearly on the screen.
Videolaryngoscope can also prove to be a useful
learning tool by recording such rare critical events
for future reference.
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