Open AccessInadvertent migration of guidewire into Murphy′s eye of endotracheal tube during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy
Author(s) -
Binita Panigrahi,
Devi Prasad Samaddar,
Tushar Kumar
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
indian journal of critical care medicine/indian journal of critical care medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.317
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1998-359X
pISSN - 0972-5229
DOI - 10.4103/0972-5229.178186
Subject(s) - medicine , endotracheal tube , impaction , percutaneous , intensive care unit , surgery , tube (container) , tracheotomy , intubation , intensive care medicine , mechanical engineering , engineering
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a commonly performed bedside procedure in the Intensive Care Unit. Although serious and fatal complications have been reported, the procedure is by and large safe to perform in experienced hands. We report here an innocuous problem encountered twice. After the guidewire insertion and dilatation, subsequent railroading became difficult owing to migration of guidewire into the Murphy's eye of the endotracheal tube (ETT). Awareness about this possibility can avert inadvertent delays and complications during the procedure. A tug or gentle pulling of ETT after insertion of the guidewire rules out an impaction in the eye or other part of the ETT.