Intentional esophageal intubation to improve visualization during emergent endotracheal intubation in the context of massive vomiting: a case report.

Impaired visualization during intubation due to vomitus of gastric contents is a potential cause of failed intubation. An 82-year-old woman was intubated emergently for respiratory distress secondary to aspiration of gastric contents. Her intubation was hindered by the presence of a massive amount of ongoing vomitus that impaired visualization and overwhelmed all suction capabilities. Intentional blind intubation of the esophagus with an endotracheal tube was performed with successful diversion of ongoing vomitus away from the airway. Thereafter, after brief suctioning, the larynx was quickly visualized and the patient was successfully intubated.