title: Tracheal laceration as a complication of out-of-hospital emergency tracheal intubation in a patient with COPD.
abstract: Tracheobronchial injuries related to emergency endotracheal intubations are reported to be associated with an increased risk of mortality. Many mechanical risk factors may become more frequent in an emergency setting leading to such injuries. Aside from these factors that may complicate endotracheal intubation, this procedure is not recommended a priori for ventilation due to the resulting interruptions in external chest compressions, by 2010 cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and external chest compression guidelines. We present a 78-year-old woman with known chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who had a tracheal laceration after emergency endotracheal intubation during CPR. Thorax computed tomography revealed an overinflated tube cuff. The trachea was repaired surgically; however, our patient died on the fourth postoperative day due to multiple-organ failure. Prehospital providers must remain especially vigilant to priorities in airway management during CPR and aware of the dangers associated with field tracheal intubation under less than ideal conditions.
authors: Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation.
authors: Filiz
authors: F
authors: Üzümcügil
authors: Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation.
authors: Gülçin
authors: G
authors: Babaoğlu
authors: Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation.
authors: Ezgi
authors: E
authors: Denizci
authors: Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation.
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Sarıcaoğlu
authors: Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation.
authors: Meral
authors: M
authors: Kanbak
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D022125:Lacerations / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery