Question:
Throat too small to intubate?

My sister is considering weight loss surgery. She has had a terrible time in the past with intubation because her trache is so small. Will this be a problem for her or have others had the same problem and had the surgery anyway? Please email me at [email protected] Thanks!    — SLIMGRAMMA (posted on November 11, 2002)

November 11, 2002
Make sure your sister speaks to anesthesia prior to her surgery. Some discomfort is normal, but as even preterm newborn babies can be intubated this shouldn't be a problem. Good luck
   — Cheryl W.

November 11, 2002
My air passages were also too narrow to intubate me when I was sleeping so it was done while I was awake. The anethesiologist said I probably would not remember it and I don't. She should talk to them, I'm sure it can probably be done.
   — Lisa N M.

November 11, 2002
hiya. i have a small trachea and i just told the anesthesiologist and asked him to use a pediatric tube which he did and i couldn't even tell i'd been tubed. the et tubes are made to fit down to preemie newborns so they should be able to find a size that is comfortable for her. good luck kate open rny 6-14-01 pre op: 268lbs goal: 135lbs current: 126lbs
   — jkb

November 12, 2002
I woke from surgery with no tube. They said my throat was to small. They prefer the tube, but if they can't, they still do the surgery. I was so glad, because I think I was just as nervous thinking about that tube as the whole surgery. It'll all work out just fine. Open RNY 8/6/02 down -63 lbs. (on a platue... GRRRR)
   — Dana B.

November 12, 2002
When I had my gall bladder removed, the docs said my throat was very narrow. They had a hard time getting the tube down so I had a sore, scratchy, raw throat for several days. At my RNY, I made sure to tell the anesthesiologist about this and whatever he did, I had no problems at all. Don't worry, all will be fine.
   — cjabates