title: Modified endotracheal tube: emergency alternative to paediatric tracheostomy tube.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In an emergency, the non-availability of a conventional paediatric tracheostomy tube is a therapeutic challenge for the attending surgeon.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a simple alternative to a paediatric tracheostomy tube for use in an emergency situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report of a 14-year-old boy who developed tracheomalacia following partial cricotracheal resection for subglottic stenosis. As a suitably sized tracheostomy tube (with a long narrow segment) was not available, an endotracheal tube was modified and used successfully. Details of the modification, and a relevant literature review, are also discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the paediatric age group, when an appropriately sized tracheostomy tube is not available, a modified endotracheal tube is a simple temporary alternative; this may be especially useful in an emergency.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Speech and Hearing, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India. ent2@cmcvellore.ac.in
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurien
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raviraj
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaliaperumal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ninan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002404:Catheterization; D004630:Emergencies; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D015607:Stents; D055090:Tracheomalacia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome