Subglottic stenosis in a child: a complication of prolonged endotracheal intubation.

A 1 1/2 year old Nigerian child sustained traumatic rupture of the diaphragm which was repaired under endotracheal anaesthesia. A red rubber endotracheal tube was used for the surgery and a nasotracheal tube was let in situ for 4 days. A post intubation subglottic stenosis which developed was managed with a tracheostomy and a series of 8 tracheal dilatations under hatothane within a period of 5 months. Appropriate choice of tubes and attention to details of humidification may have prevented this serious complication.