Mechanical airway obstruction due to dislodged spinal hardware

A difficult airway caused by mechanical obstruction from dislodged spinal hardware in a patient undergoing revision surgery for a cervical chordoma is presented. Due to the logical, sequential multidisciplinary airway and patient management by the anesthesiology, neurosurgery, and otolaryngology teams working together in an environment of clear communication, a potential life-threatening crisis was averted with successful outcome for the patient.