Ingested Endotracheal Tube in an Adult following Intubation Attempt for Head Injury

Abstract

General surgeons are often consulted for assistance in the management of ingested foreign bodies. Deglutition of an endotracheal tube is an unusual complication of airway management. In these cases, the artificial airway is “lost” when it becomes lodged deep into the esophagus. Endoscopic extraction has been described as therapeutic. We report a case in which prehospital endotracheal intubation attempt for the management of closed head injury resulted in a swallowed endotracheal tube. The tube remained undetected until radiographs were performed for a second unrelated traumatic event 2 years later. Endoscopic extraction was unsuccessful, due to rigidity of the tube. Surgical extraction via gastrotomy was uneventful. Surgeons involved in trauma and other emergency settings should be aware of this complication and options in management.

Management of endotracheal tube breakage during extubation in a lion (Panthera leo)

“…[3][4][5] Although rare, adverse events such as ETT breakage, ingestion and aspiration had been reported in various domestic animals including dogs, [6][7][8][9][10] cats, 11 horses, 12 sheep 13 and rabbits, 14 and in people. 15,16 Complications involving the use of ETT in zoo animals have not been reported.…”

“…Tracheal intubation with an endotracheal tube (ETT) is recommended during general anaesthesia, as it allows protection of the airway, delivery of oxygen and inhalational anaesthetics, elimination of waste gases and provision of manual or mechanical ventilation 3–5 . Although rare, adverse events such as ETT breakage, ingestion and aspiration had been reported in various domestic animals including dogs, 6–10 cats, 11 horses, 12 sheep 13 and rabbits, 14 and in people 15,16 . Complications involving the use of ETT in zoo animals have not been reported.…”