04/11/2025
🛑 *Unusual case of Broken Endotracheal Tube as Airway Foreign Body* 🛑
Few days back ,got a call from ICU for an unusual airway emergency.
The patient had undergone cervical spine fixation surgery and was shifted to ICU. He was on mechanical ventilation. Patient was conscious postoperatively.
🚨 To our surprise, the patient bit through the endotracheal tube (ETT) — the proximal part came out, but the distal portion slipped into the trachea and Right main Bronchus, turning the tube itself into a foreign body in the airway.
🔻 The patient went into sudden respiratory distress, became agitated and uncomfortable as the dislodged ETT portion lodged in the lower trachea, causing irritation and obstruction.
😳 With mouth opening restricted to barely 2 fingers, we had to perform an emergency flexible bronchoscopy under challenging anatomical and clinical circumstances.
The foreign body (ETT fragment) was successfully retrieved, and the airway was cleared, averting a potentially catastrophic outcome.
🩻 Even a well-secured ETT can become a potential airway hazard in awake or semi-awake post-op patients with biting reflex. Vigilance, timely intervention, and interdepartmental coordination can make all the difference.
