title: Fracture synthetic tracheostomy tube: an ENT emergency.
abstract: A synthetic tracheostomy tube [non-metallic type] fracturing within three days of insertion is very rare but it could lead to serious complications such as acute asphyxia or sudden death. We report three such cases at our centre. Recommendations are made to closely observe patients on tracheostomy tube in the first seven days post-insertion of the tube.
authors.affiliation: Department ORL, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50630 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shashinder
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuljit
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muthu
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Gopala
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jalaludin
mesh_terms: D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*