A Case of Transient Ventilation Difficulty Caused by the Occlusion of a Nasotracheal Intubation Tube Due to the Weight of the Tongue in a Patient With Morbid Obesity

In patients with obesity, airway obstruction is more likely to occur because of the effects of gravity on the supine position and compression of the airway caused by the weight of soft tissues. This significantly increases the risk of apnea and hypoxemia. Therefore, careful airway monitoring and securing are essential after anesthesia induction and during postoperative recovery. Herein, we report a case of nasotracheal intubation tube obstruction caused by the weight of the tongue in a patient with morbid obesity during general anesthesia. This rare complication highlights the importance of careful airway monitoring and management in patients with obesity undergoing general anesthesia.