Unusually dislodged tracheostomy tube with intact airway

Abstract

Learning points► It is essential to maintain strict vigil in tracheostomised patients about the care of the tracheostomy site with preemptive tube changes advocated in any risk of displacement. ► The imaging in management of tracheostomy tube dislodgement is of paramount importance, irrespective of the clinical status or relief of respiratory distress.

Aspiration of a fractured tracheostomy tube, a rare complication of tracheotomy: the factors involved in this incident and literature review

“…Rigid bronchoscopy is the preferred procedure for removal of large foreign bodies in approximately 75%. 3,5,6,[9][10][11][13][14][15]17,19,20,22 In general, rigid grasping forceps is used for removal; however, in our case the proximal end of the tube was severely corroded, and might be broken during grasping.…”

“…19 The analysis of these last reviews of the literature objective the presentation of 75% of cases in a state of respiratory distress hence the interest in preventing this potentially fatal accident. 3,5,[8][9][10][11][13][14][15]17,20,21 However, the discovery may sometimes be fortuitous, or the patient is almost asymptomatic after inhalation for the other remaining cases. 6 Standard radiology retains all its indications, given the importance of differential diagnoses of dyspnea and atypical presentation especially in the elderly, this additional examination remains accessible in emergency with a major diagnostic value.…”