Long-term nasotracheal intubation in an adult patient. A case of 174 days in spontaneous breathing.
A 67 year old female whole trachea was compressed by malignant thyroid tumour complained of severe dyspnoea. Tracheostomy was considered but was rejected because of the risk of massive bleeding. Nasotracheal intubation improved markedly her condition. The patient underwent radiation and chemotheraphy with the tube in place. By these treatment compression of the trachea was alleviated, and the nasotracheal tube was removed uneventfully on the 174th day of intubation. The management of long-term nasotracheal intubation is discussed and the literature is reviewed.
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D009666:Nose; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology