Retrograde intubation--a facilitated approach.

The procedure of retrograde tracheal intubation has been facilitated by the use of a multilumen catheter guide. When used as an anterograde guide, it would easily follow the retrograde guide and would direct placement of the tracheal tube atraumatically. A new technique is described that allows stabilization of the anterograde catheter and its insertion deep inside the trachea to prevent dislodgement of the tracheal tube from the laryngeal inlet. This catheter guide may also be used as a conduit for high-frequency jet ventilation with monitoring of the airway pressure, thus providing wider margins of safety in patients with difficult upper airways.