Author/Authors :
Yoon, Susie Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine - Seoul National University College of Medicine - Seoul, Korea , Choo, Hyunjung Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine - Seoul National University College of Medicine - Seoul, Korea , Kim, Se Eun Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine - Seoul National University College of Medicine - Seoul, Korea , Kwon, Heeyeon Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Seoul National University Hospital - Seoul National University College of Medicine - Seoul, Korea , Lee, Hannah Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine - Seoul National University College of Medicine - Seoul, Korea
Abstract :
Reinforced endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are designed to resist kinking or compression. However, these have a potential risk of being
obstructed or severed by a patient’s bite. We report a case in which a reinforced ETT was severed by tube-bite while the patient was
in the prone position during an intensive care unit stay. Bronchoscopic evaluation showed that the severed distal part of the tube had
lodged in the patient’s right main bronchus, and it had to be surgically removed. The patency of reinforced ETTs should be carefully
monitored in patients intubated in the prone position.
Keywords :
airway obstruction , bronchoscopy , intubation , intratracheal , prone position
