Palatopharyngeal wall perforation during Glidescope intubation.
We report a case of palatopharyngeal wall perforation during intubation with a GlideScope laryngoscope. The likely mechanism was advancing and rotating the endotracheal tube against a taut palatopharyngeal fold. This was missed during the initial laryngoscopy, because there is a potential blind-spot in the oropharynx when attention is focused on the GlideScope" monitor Fortunately, there were no sequelae other than minor bleeding and a mild sore throat and no surgical intervention was necessary. The use of unnecessary force during the endotracheal tube insertion, the use of too large a laryngoscope blade and the use of a rigid stylet could possibly also have been contributory factors to this complication.
Leong
W L
WL
Department of Women's Anaesthesia, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Lim
Y
Y
Sia
A T H
AT
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020704:Laryngoscopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010159:Palate / Q000293:injuries*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries*