Korean J Anesthesiol.  2007 Nov;53(5):652-655. 10.4097/kjae.2007.53.5.652.

Retropharyngeal Laceration during Nasotracheal Intubation: A case report

• Jeong IM
• Woo CH
• Kim HS
• Kwak IS
• Mun SH
• Kim HS
• Kim KM

• KMID: 1937382
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2007.53.5.652

Abstract

Nasotracheal intubation is a useful airway management technique for head, neck, and dental surgery. However, the risks associated with this technique include the possibility of damaging the nasal mucosa and related structures including the epistaxis, pharyngolaryngeal mucosal injury, bleeding, avulsion of the turbinate, nasal polyps, sinusitis, and bacteremia. Some of these symptoms occasionally result in fatal complications. A 26-year-old male, was scheduled to undergo surgery for malocclusion type 3 under general anesthesia with nasotracheal intubation. During the nasotracheal intubation, the tip of nasotracheal tube entered into the retropharyngeal space through the nasopharyngeal wall instead of oropharyngeal space, however no blood aspiration and retropharyngeal swelling occured. After surgery, the patient was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and conservative management, and was completely cured without further complications.

Keyword

airway management; complication; nasotracheal intubation

MeSH Terms

Adult
Airway Management
Anesthesia, General
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacteremia
Epistaxis
Head
Hemorrhage
Humans
Intubation*
Lacerations*
Male
Malocclusion
Nasal Mucosa
Nasal Polyps
Neck
Sinusitis
Turbinates
Anti-Bacterial Agents