Iatrogenic post-intubation tracheal rupture treated conservatively without intubation: a case report.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tracheal rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication that most commonly occurrs after blunt trauma to the chest, but which may also complicate tracheal intubation. We report a case of post-intubation tracheal rupture after cataract surgery under general anesthesia treated conservatively.

Case presentation

Four hours after extubation, a 67 year-old woman developed subcutaneous emphysema of the facial, bilateral laterocervical and upper anterior chest. Tracheobronchial fiberendoscopy showed a posterior tracheal transmural rupture 4 cm long located 2.5 cm above the carina that opened in inspiration. The location of the lesion and features of the patient favoured conservative treatment with antibiotic cover. The patient made a full and uncomplicated recovery a

SUBMITTER: Prunet B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2579287 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature