Korean J Anesthesiol.  2007 Jan;52(1):123-126. 10.4097/kjae.2007.52.1.123.

Tracheal Rupture after the Use of Reused High Volume-low Pressure Endotracheal Tube : A case report

• Seo JW
• Ha JH
• Kwak KH
• Jeon YH
• Kim SO

• KMID: 2236657
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2007.52.1.123

Abstract

Tracheal rupture is a rare complication of tracheal intubation, but may result in pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, subcutaneous emphysema and other serious outcomes. Risk factors associated with tracheobronchial rupture include multiple vigorous attempts at intubation, inexperienced operator, intubating stylets, tracheal abnormalities, overdistension of tracheal or bronchial cuff, repositioning of tube without deflating the cuff, chronic obstructive airway disease and vigorous coughing while being intubated. We report a case of tracheal rupture after using single lumen endotracheal tube. A 41-year-old, 53 kg, female was operated for a repair of anterior cruciate ligament under general anesthesia in other hospital. Two hours later after the end of operation, facial swelling, dyspnea and chest pain developed. Chest computed tomography showed mediastinal emphysema. She was transferred to our hospital and bronchoscopy showed a rupture at posterior part of membranous portion 2 cm proximal to carina. Trachea was repaired and she was discharged from the hospital without complication.

Keyword

emphysema; endotracheal tube; tracheal rupture

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anesthesia, General
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Bronchoscopy
Chest Pain
Cough
Dyspnea
Emphysema
Female
Humans
Intubation
Mediastinal Emphysema
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Risk Factors
Rupture*
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Thorax
Trachea