Baumgartner F J, Ayres B, Theuer C
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance 90509, USA.
Ann Thorac Surg. 1997 Jan;63(1):227-8. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(96)00691-1.
Blunt tracheobronchial injuries may be difficult to diagnosis at presentation but can pose major airway difficulties. We present a patient with a tracheal transection who underwent intubation with the tip of the endotracheal tube exiting the trachea and terminating in the mediastinum adjacent to the distal trachea. He underwent surgical repair of the injury with end-to-end anastomosis. Although intubation over a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is desirable in cases of suspected tracheobronchial injury, it may not be feasible. In cases of suspected tracheobronchial injuries with blind endotracheal intubation, the possibility of false intubation should always be entertained.
