Oropharyngeal Foreign Body After Attempted Nasal Intubation: A Case of Traumatic Middle Turbinectomy

A nasopharyngeal airway, or nasal trumpet, is an adjunctive airway device used to bypass upper airway obstruction at the level of the oral cavity or oropharynx. Although nasal trumpet placement on an awake patient may be uncomfortable, there are no reports of significant trauma from insertion. We present an unusual case of middle turbinate avulsion presenting as a foreign body in the oropharynx after several attempts at placement of a nasopharyngeal airway in an unconscious patient. We hope to raise awareness that nasal intubation in patients with altered consciousness can result in significant nasal trauma, especially after multiple attempts have failed.