Tracheal laceration found after endotracheal general anesthesia : A case report

ABSTRACT

Tracheal laceration is a rare complication after endotracheal intubation with an estimated incidence of 110,000. We present a case of tracheal laceration after general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. A 63-year-old woman underwent ureteroscopic stone removal under the general anesthesia. She had history of treatment for hypertension and DM for 10 years. Surgery, anesthesia and recovery phase were uneventful. Postoperative first day, patient complained chest discomfort and chest radiography showed the clinical diagnosis of marked subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Postoperative second day, chest CT scan revealed laceration of the posterior tracheal wall extending from the middle of the trachea to the level of 5 cm above carina. Surgical repair was done. We review risk factors, diagnosis and principles of treatment of this lesion.