Nasotracheal intubation and pulmonary parenchymal perforation. An unusual complication of naso-enteral feeding with small-diameter feeding tubes.
If not used cautiously, the rigid guide wire used with small-diameter feeding tubes can promote nasotracheal intubation in patients with diminished tracheobronchial sensation. Patients with endotracheal tubes are also at risk. To prevent pulmonary complications with small-diameter feeding tubes, the wire introducer should not be advanced beyond the nasopharynx, and x-ray verification of catheter location should be mandatory.
D000368:Aged; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose; D014132:Trachea