Hypoxemia due to respiratory depression and airway obstruction during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation is a common concern. The Wei nasal jet tube (WNJT) is a new nasopharyngeal airway with the ability to provide supraglottic jet ventilation and oxygen insufflation via its built-in wall channel. The available evidence indicates that with a low oxygen flow, compared with nasal cannula, the WNJT does not decrease the occurrence of hypoxemia during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with propofol sedation. To date, there has been no study assessing the performance of WNJT for supplemental oxygen during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation when a moderate oxygen flow is used.

To determine whether the WNJT performs better than the nasal prongs for the prevention of hypoxemia during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation when a moderate oxygen flow is provided in patients with a normal body mass index.

This study was performed in 291 patients undergoing elective gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation. Patients were randomized into one of two groups to receive either the WNJT (WNJT group, n = 147) or the nasal cannula (nasal cannula group, n = 144) for supplemental oxygen at a 5-L/min flow during gastroscopy. The lowest SpO₂ during gastroscopy was recorded. The primary endpoint was the incidence of hypoxemia or severe hypoxemia during gastroscopy.

The total incidence of hypoxemia and severe hypoxemia during gastroscopy was significantly decreased in the WNJT group compared with the nasal cannula group (P = 0.000). The lowest median SpO₂ during gastroscopy was significantly higher (98%; interquartile range, 97-99) in the WNJT group than in the nasal cannula group (96%; interquartile range, 93-98). Epistaxis by device insertion in the WNJT group occurred in 7 patients but stopped naturally without any treatment. The two groups were comparable in terms of the satisfaction of physicians, anesthetists and patients.

With a moderate oxygen flow, the WNJT is more effective for the prevention of hypoxemia during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation compared with nasal prongs, but causing slight epistaxis in a few patients.

• Gastroscopy
• Hypoxemia
• Wei nasal jet tube
• Nasal cannula
• Supplemental oxygen
• Adverse outcomes

• Body Mass Index
• Cannula
• Gastroscopy
• Humans
• Hypoxia/etiology
• Oxygen
• Propofol/adverse effects

An enlarged inferior turbinate is a predisposing factor for difficult nasotracheal intubation. We describe a case of successful nasotracheal intubation by induced outfracture of the inferior turbinate during maxillofacial surgery, and discuss the importance of adequate airway evaluation and anesthetic management for successful nasal intubation.

• Intubation
• Nasal Obstruction
• Turbinates

• Gastroscopy
• Hypoxemia
• Wei nasal jet tube

Objective. This prospective and randomized study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the nasopharyngeal airway relative to the nasal oxygen tube in obese patients undergoing painless gastroscopy. Materials and Methods. Obese patients (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m²; n = 260) were randomly and equally apportioned to the nasopharyngeal airway (Group A) or nasal oxygen tube (Group B) group. Three patients were excluded due to failure of insertion of the nasopharyngeal airway. The duration of endoscopy, anesthetic dose, recovery time, and adverse events were recorded. The satisfaction of the anesthetist, physicians, and patient was scored. Results. The SpO₂ reduction was significantly less in Group A than in Group B. Use of a respirator for assisted ventilation occurred significantly less in Group A. The groups were similar regarding mean arterial pressure, heart rate, anesthetic dose, duration of gastroscopy, recovery time, and adverse events. Satisfaction of the physician and anesthetist was greater in Group A; the groups were similar in patient satisfaction. Conclusions. Use of the nasopharyngeal airway for obese patients during painless gastroscopy resulted in less SpO₂ reduction relative to the nasal oxygen tube. Altogether, it is a safe and effective device for obese patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.

• Nasotracheal intubation
• Turbinectomy

The aim of this retrospective investigation was to evaluate the position of the nasotracheal tube in the nose and to show its anatomical relationship with the maxillary sinus ostium.

Fifty data sets from patients who had undergone endonasal intubation were analyzed for tube positioning. There was a drop-out of eight data sets due to missing information concerning tube size and mode. Tube positioning was determined at the maxillary sinus ostium in the intraoperatively generated three-dimensional X-ray data sets. The type of tube, the tube size, and the presence of maxillary sinusitis were analyzed 30 minutes after intubation.

The tube was positioned in the middle nasal meatus in 35 (83.3%) patients and not in the middle nasal meatus in 7 (16.7%) patients. The difference in comparison with equal distribution was significant (P <0.001). The test value was 83.3; the 95% confidence interval of the test value was 68.6 to 93.0%. Maxillary sinusitis was diagnosed as a chance finding in 17% of patients (n =7).

The majority of nasal tubes are positioned in the middle nasal meatus. This result can be part of the answer to the question of the causal relationship between position of the breathing tube and the onset of maxillary sinusitis. The indications for prolonged nasotracheal intubation instead of orotracheal intubation or early tracheostomy should be considered carefully.