High Flow Oxygen in Patients Undergoing Suspension Laryngoscopy Under General Anesthesia

Brief Summary

Patients undergoing suspension laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia have oxygen delivered to their lungs through different methods. Inserting a tube in the trachea is the best means for oxygen delivery. However, it does not allow for optimal visibility of the operated area. Other techniques can be used but have disadvantages with some being associated with serious complications. No consensus exists regarding the best airway management technique for this intervention. The aim of the study is to investigate a new device that delivers oxygen at very high flow through a nasal cannula in patients undergoing suspension laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia. This technique allows the surgeon to have a perfect visualisation of the laryngeal structures while allowing the delivery of oxygen for the lungs. After informed consent, adult patients undergoing suspension laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia in two French hospitals will receive high flow oxygen throughout the procedure. At the end of surgery or, whenever applicable, at the time of technique failure (with a decrease in blood oxygen saturation to less than 92%), blood will be drawn for analysis. All patients will have a thin security catheter inserted in their trachea (the currently used technique in both participating hospitals), allowing for rescue high frequency ventilation if ever the study technique fails. The safety of the device will also be assessed by analysing the blood samples for signs of carbon dioxide accumulation and by collecting any intra or post-operative complications. If the device shows to be effective at maintaining blood oxygenation without significant associated risks, it could be used for other surgical situations where airway management is expected to be difficult.