A rare tracheal lesion.
We report a potentially life-threatening tracheal lesion that caused postextubation stridor in a child following dental surgery. The child developed a cough, dysphonia, stridor, and respiratory distress hours after his operation. Standard therapy for postextubation stridor was ineffective. A lateral neck X-ray suggestive of subglottic pathology prompted an endoscopy. This revealed a fibrinous membrane that was attached to the anterior trachea and required mechanical ablation. The child made an uneventful recovery. This lesion has not been reported in children before and we believe that it is important in the differential diagnosis of postextubation stridor as it requires specific therapy.
Birch
Craig Walter
CW
Department of Anaesthesia, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. cbirch@middlemore.co.nz
Salkeld
Lesley Joan
LJ
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002648:Child; D005931:Glottis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology