Intraoperative Ventilatory Compromise Following Intubation in an Infant: A Diagnostic Challenge
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
10-17-2026
Abstract
A healthy 11-month-old male underwent right orchiopexy, inguinal hernia, and hydrocele repair under general anesthesia. Intubation was uneventful; however, immediately after, markedly elevated peak airway pressures and difficulty with manual ventilation were noted. Oxygen saturation remained >95%, but rising end-tidal CO₂ and diminished breath sounds raised concern for bronchospasm. Albuterol and low-dose epinephrine were administered without improvement. Ventilation via a Mapleson circuit improved compliance, suggesting equipment malfunction. Replacement of the anesthesia circuit normalized ventilation. This case underscores the importance of systematically evaluating intraoperative ventilatory difficulty with a broad differential while applying the pediatric difficult airway algorithm to guide timely management.
Recommended Citation
Chang V, Stafford P. Intraoperative ventilatory compromise following intubation in an infant: a diagnostic challenge. Presented at: American Society of Anesthesiologists, The Anesthesiology Meeting; 2026 Oct 17; San Diego, CA. Available from: https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/21448/presentation/8660