When ankylosing spondylitis coincides with spontaneous cervical fracture: A case report

•Patients with severe ankylosing spondylitis require an adequate preoperative airway assessment.•Prolongation of safe apnea with adequate preoxygenation using transnasal high flow nasal cannula oxygen prior to induction of anesthesia.•Intraoperative lung-protective ventilation strategy given to patients to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications.•Placement of airway exchange catheter before extubation to provide reliable airway management and perianesthesia safety.