Tracheal rupture post-emergency intubation


Submitted: 17 February 2013
Accepted: 17 February 2013
Published: 19 August 2009
Abstract Views: 732
PDF: 11676
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Authors

  • Andrea Billè Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, SCDU Chirurgia Toracica, Ospedale San Luigi, Orbassano (TO), .
  • Luca Errico Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, SCDU Chirurgia Toracica, Ospedale San Luigi, Orbassano (TO), .
  • Francesco Ardissone Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, SCDU Chirurgia Toracica, Ospedale San Luigi, Orbassano (TO), .
  • Luciano Cardinale SCDU Radiologia, .
Tracheal rupture is an uncommon and potentially lifethreatening complication of endotracheal intubation. We present a case of intrathoracic tracheal rupture in a female patient who required emergent endotracheal intubation for acute respiratory distress related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. Possible contributing factors to tracheal injury included overinflation of the tube cuff, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic steroid use. The patient underwent surgical repair without complication. Postoperatively, the tube cuff was placed far distally, close to the carina, and mechanical ventilation was performed using low tidal volume and PEEP in order to avoid high ventilatory pressures.

Andrea Billè, Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, SCDU Chirurgia Toracica, Ospedale San Luigi, Orbassano (TO)
Luca Errico, Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, SCDU Chirurgia Toracica, Ospedale San Luigi, Orbassano (TO)
Francesco Ardissone, Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, SCDU Chirurgia Toracica, Ospedale San Luigi, Orbassano (TO)
Luciano Cardinale, SCDU Radiologia
Billè, A., Errico, L., Ardissone, F., & Cardinale, L. (2009). Tracheal rupture post-emergency intubation. Emergency Care Journal, 5(4), 18–22. https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2009.4.18

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