title: Localized tracheomalacia as a complication of the Cole tracheal tube.
abstract: The Cole tracheal tube is designed for use in neonates. Subglottic stenosis is a recognized complication of prolonged use of the tube. We report a case of tracheomalacia as a further complication of prolonged use of the tube. A 4-month-old infant with a history of repeated failed extubation and multiple medical problems was found to have an unusual region of severe inspiratory collapse localized to the upper 1 cm of the trachea. This was felt to be the result of pressure from the shoulder of the Cole tube which had been used for prolonged intubation. A tracheostomy was performed to bypass the collapse, but the infant subsequently died due to other medical problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brewis
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pracy
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014139:Tracheostomy