Pneumothorax following attempted nasogastric intubation for nutritional support.
Nasogastric intubation is a routine procedure, performed daily by both medical and nursing staff. It is a simple procedure, but not without complications which can be life threatening. We present an unusual, life threatening complication which occurred when nasogastric intubation using a no. 8 polyurethane tube with its metal stilet resulted in a pneumothorax after intubation of the endotracheal tree in the presence of a cuffed endotracheal tube. We emphasize that the presence of a cuffed endotracheal tube should not be considered a safeguard against pulmonary intubation during nasogastric placement of a feeding catheter.
D000368:Aged; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*