Failed intubation secondary to complete tracheal rings: a case report and literature review

Unanticipated difficult intubation in asymptomatic infants is a rare event. Most infants with congenital tracheal anomalies will present with airway problems. We present a case of failed intubation in an asymptomatic 8-day-old infant with complete tracheal rings. The infant could be ventilated with an LMA and surgery for placement of a ventricular-peritoneum shunt was completed. This is a report of the case and review of the literature.