Mounier-Kuhn syndrome - a case report of airway management during general anesthesia

INTRODUCTION: Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (MKS) is a rare tracheobronchial disorder with fewer than 500 reported cases globally. This report describes an asymptomatic MKS patient diagnosed incidentally due to unexplained intraoperative airway leakage during general anesthesia, highlighting the challenges in airway management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old male with tracheal dilation (transverse/sagittal diameters: 28.2/50.2 mm) underwent laparoscopic hernia repair. Severe airway leakage occurred despite standard intubation, resolved by dynamic endotracheal tube repositioning and cuff pressure optimization. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologists often focus more on airway narrowing and lack vigilance regarding airway dilation, This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing MKS in unexplained airway leaks and demonstrates effective intraoperative adjustments for ventilation security.