Management of congenital tracheal stenosis--using spontaneous ventilation to facilitate cardiopulmonary bypass.

We present an unusual case of an infant with life-threatening tracheal stenosis scheduled for repair utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. After repeated attempts at intubation endtidal CO2 was absent. The child was eventually managed with spontaneous breathing sevoflurane via a facemask. The possible causes of absent endtidal CO2 after intubation are discussed.