Clearance of an obstructed endotracheal tube with an arterial embolectomy catheter with the patient in the prone position.

The obstruction of an endotracheal tube with the patient in the prone position creates major anaesthetic difficulties that may result in patient morbidity and mortality. We describe a case involving the clearing of a blocked endotracheal tube with an arterial embolectomy catheter and discuss the relevance to anaesthetic practice.