title: Prolonged use of an endotracheal tube changer in a pediatric patient with a potentially compromised airway.
abstract: A 14-year-old obese male patient presented following a motor vehicle accident with multiple injuries and respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Because of potential problems with a difficult airway, an endotracheal tube changer was used at the time of extubation and left in place for a prolonged period of time. Leaving the tube changer in place maintained access to the airway. Additionally, the manipulation of the tube changer was used to stimulate the cough reflex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Chipley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castresana
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Catchings
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000628:therapy*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications*; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors