Endotracheal tube rupture, accidental extubation, and tracheal avulsion: three airway catastrophes associated with significant decrease in leak pressure.
We report three unusual, catastrophic cases in which a significant decrease in leak pressure around a tracheal tube was noted before the discovery of the ultimate airway problem. A brief review of potential causes of a decrease in leak pressure is included and management of these difficult cases is discussed.
Spear
R M
RM
Department of Anesthesiology, UCSD Medical Center.
Sauder
R A
RA
Nichols
D G
DG
D000399:Air Pressure; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries*