Fractured metallic tracheostomy tube in a child: a case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Tracheostomy is a common airway procedure for life support. The fracture of the tracheostomy tube is a rare complication. We report a case of a 14-year-old boy whose fractured stainless steel tracheostomy tube dislodged into the tracheobronchial tree. We include a literature review and proposed recommendations for tracheostomy care.


METHODS
A 14-year-old Thai boy who had a stainless steel tracheostomy tube presented with a complaint of intermittent cough for 2 months. During tracheostomy tube cleaning, his parents found that the inner tube was missing. A chest X-ray revealed a metallic density foreign body in his right main bronchus. He underwent bronchoscopic removal of the inner tracheostomy tube and was discharged without further complications.


CONCLUSIONS
A fractured tracheostomy tube is a rare complication. Appropriate cleaning and scheduled replacement of the tracheostomy tube may prevent this complication.
Piromchai
Patorn
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 40002, Thailand. patorn@gmail.com.
Lertchanaruengrit
Piyawadee
P
Vatanasapt
Patravoot
P
Ratanaanekchai
Teeraporn
T
Thanaviratananich
Sanguansak
S