Difficult airway management after carotid endarterectomy: utility and limitations of the Laryngeal Mask Airway

This case series details successful management of life-threatening airway obstruction after carotid endarterectomy. In the first case, ventilation was restored with a Laryngeal Mask Airway. In the second case, laryngeal mask airway rescue was unsuccessful, necessitating percutaneous transtracheal jet ventilation and subsequent endotracheal intubation with direct laryngoscopy.