Abstract
In January 2008, a 79-year-old woman was seen due to difficulty breathing. On chest CT, thyroid cancer and a tracheal stenosis about 3-cm long located approximately 5 cm below the vocal cords were noted. Thyroid cancer surgery was not indicated. Nevertheless, tracheal stent placement was done. Midazolam was given, and a laryngeal mask was inserted with the patient breathing spontaneously. Subsequently, a flexible bronchoscope was inserted into the laryngeal mask. A guide wire was inserted once the tracheal narrowing was identified, the metallic stent was inserted intratracheally along the guide wire and then deployed. Tracheal stent placement using flexible bronchoscopy and a laryngeal mask is useful in patients whose general condition is poor and in whom the stenosis is located near the vocal cords.
