Use of Retrograde Intubation as an Alternative Maneuver to Secure a Difficult Airway in a Spiny Soft-Shell Turtle (Apalone spinifera)
A spiny soft-shell turtle (Apalone spinifera) underwent coelioscopy after a 6 month history of anorexia and persistent leukocytosis. A laryngeal mass obstructed the glottis and prevented standard orotracheal intubation. Use of a red rubber catheter through a midventral cervical tracheostomy facilitated orotracheal intubation and maintenance by inhalant anesthesia. This method of intubation should be considered as an option for intubation in the chelonian if access to the glottis is impaired.Abstract
Creation of tracheostomy and process of retrograde intubation. (A) Blunt dissection of the subcutaneous tissue and muscle to expose the trachea. (B) Insertion of intravenous catheter into tracheostomy site (stylet removed). (C) Insertion of red rubber catheter through intravenous catheter and into trachea. (D) Transilluminator being used to confirm the red rubber catheter (black arrow) is exiting through the glottis. The endotracheal tube (white arrow) is ready to advance.
Contributor Notes
2Current address: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
