Open AccessEndotracheal tube defects: Hidden causes of airway obstruction
Author(s) -
Khalid Sofi,
Kariman El-Gammal
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
saudi journal of anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.416
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 1658-354X
pISSN - 0975-3125
DOI - 10.4103/1658-354x.65123
Subject(s) - medicine , endotracheal tube , airway obstruction , airway , airway management , intubation , tube (container) , ventilation (architecture) , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , tracheostomy tube , mechanical engineering , engineering
Manufacturing defects of endotracheal tube (ETT) are still encountered in anesthesia practice. Many such defects go unnoticed during routine inspection prior to their use. Such defects in ETT may lead to partial or complete airway obstruction in an intubated patient. We report a case of partial airway obstruction with a prepacked, single use, uncuffed ETT due to a manufacturing defect in the form of a plastic meniscus at the distal end of the tube. This case report highlights the significance of standard monitoring of ventilation and the role of a vigilant clinician in detecting such defects in avoiding critical events as can arise from the use of such defective ETTs. It also emphasizes the need for double checking ETTs prior to their use.