Korean J Anesthesiol.  1974 Jan;7(1):133-136.

A Case of Bronchial Obstruction with Mucus Plug following Endotracheal Intubation

• Park DW
• You CS
• Lee SH

Abstract

To keep the patent airway during a general anesthetic procedure or when handling an unconscious patient is the most important concern as well as responsibility and/or duty of the anesthesiologist. Many delicate operations could and can be performed because of the development of anesthetic techniques aad methods, especially through the introduction of endotracheal intubations. However, at times, an endotracheal tube can unfortunately be a hazardous instrument-lethal instead of lifesaving. The authors experienced a case of left main bronchial obstruction with a thick mucus plug immediately following the completion of oro-endotracheal intubation. This was successfully remedied by direct bronchoscopic aspiration under transtracheal spray. In such a circumstance as this, the newly designed instrument, namely; a bronchofiberscope, is a real necessity.

MeSH Terms

Humans
Intubation
Intubation, Intratracheal*
Mucus*