[Patil-Syracuse mask for fiberoptic intubation].

Patil-Syracuse mask, recently introduced in Japan, has a port for fiberscopy. A fiberoptic bronchoscope and an endotracheal tube can be passed through the port with little air leakage. Positive pressure ventilation can be continuously maintained using this mask during fiberoptic intubation. This mask is particularly useful when a patient can be easily ventilated through a face mask but the trachea is unexpectedly difficult to intubate. With a modified endoscopy mask technique, the mean expiratory tidal volume of 10 ml.kg-1 could be obtained during fiberoptic orotracheal intubation. We describe a fiberoptic intubation technique using this mask, and discuss the complications and limitations of this method.