Reversible airway obstruction caused by changing the size and length of an endotracheal tube in a premature neonate with suspected tracheomalacia -A case report-

Korean J Anesthesiol. 2010 Dec;59 Suppl(Suppl):S30-2. doi: 10.4097/kjae.2010.59.S.S30. Epub 2010 Dec 31.

Abstract

Tracheomalacia is a malformation of the tracheal membranosa. It is maintained during spontaneous breathing but can be altered by bronchoscopy or positive airway pressure. Tracheomalacia is associated with a high mortality and may cause prolonged intubation and ventilation. Here, the case of a 13-day-old infant with jejunoileal stenosis that had surgery is reported. During induction of general anesthesia, endotracheal intubation was attempted several times with different sized endotracheal tubes. Airway obstruction occurred after the endotracheal intubation. After the airway was maintained, the operation was completed. Tracheomalacia was diagnosed after otolaryngology evaluation postoperatively.

Keywords: Airway obstruction; Prematurity; Tracheomalacia.