Glossopharyngeal Nerve Block for Awake Intubation

Plain-language summary

Endotracheal intubation of the morbidly obese is often performed awake. This is performed after topical anesthesia of the patient's pharynx and larynx. There are many techniques used to perform topical anesthesia of the patient's airway, which include aerosolization of local anesthesia, topical application of local anesthesia, and nerve blockade using needles and local anesthesia. Reasons for failure of any awake tracheal intubation technique is excess gagging. The most effective method to adequately anesthetize the airway to decrease the amount of gagging is unknown. The investigators wish to assess if the instillation of local anesthesia soaked gauze next to the peritonsillar pillars will decrease the number of gagging episodes during awake video laryngoscopy assisted tracheal intubation of the morbidly obese.

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