title: Delayed obstruction of endotracheal tubes by aspirated foreign bodies: report of two cases.
abstract: We present 2 cases of endotracheal tube obstruction as a result of previously aspirated foreign bodies that moved from the bronchial tree into the endotracheal tube. The signs of endotracheal tube obstruction were demonstrated in both cases: (1) activation of the high-pressure alarm; (2) difficulty ventilating by using a bag-valve-mask device; (3) rapid decrease of end-tidal CO2; (4) oxygen desaturation that may have lagged behind the decrease of end-tidal CO2; and (5) the inability to advance a catheter down the endotracheal tube. The differential diagnosis of endotracheal tube obstruction is discussed, as are possible interventions to remove the obstruction and secure an open airway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY, USA. gilshla@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: Gil Zvi
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Shlamovitz
authors.forename: Pinchas
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Halpern
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001980:Bronchi; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014070:Tooth
chemical_list: D002638:Chewing Gum; D002248:Carbon Monoxide