Preoperative retrograde reintubation during partial tracheal resection and anastomosis in a cat with severe tracheal stenosis

A seven-month-old European shorthair cat was presented with dyspnoea and expiratory stridor due to a severe obstructive tracheal stenosis. Surgical resection of the stenotic area and anastomosis of the remaining parts of the trachea were performed. The anaesthetic management of a patient during tracheal resection is an anaesthetic challenge. Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and a continuous rate infusion of fentanyl were chosen to maintain a surgical anaesthetic depth and to ensure pain control. Endotracheal extubation was necessary at a specific time during the surgical procedure. However, subsequent oral reintubation was complicated, due to patient positioning and the presence of laryngeal spasms. Reintubation was only successful by means of a modified retrograde intubation technique. Recovery was satisfactory and uneventful.