Airway obstruction due to post intubation circumferential tracheal web formation: A case report

Chung, Mee Young; Song, Ho Kyung

Case Report

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2011;6(4):349-352.
Published online October 31, 2011.

Airway obstruction due to post intubation circumferential tracheal web formation: A case report

¹Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, St. Paul's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
²Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Korea. genovia@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

Tracheal stenosis is well known complication of endotracheal intubation. However, severe post intubation tracheal stenosis that requires interventional bronchoscopy or tracheal surgery is un-common. Necrosis induced by cuff pressure-related loss of regional blood flow is the central injury leading to postinubation tracheal stenosis. The large volume, low pressure cuff of endo-tracheal tubes have markedly reduced the occurrence cuff-induced injury. However, in any patient who develops symptoms of airway obstruction, who has been intubated and ventilated in the recent past, possibility of tracheal stenosis should be considered. We report a case of severe tracheal stenosis by tracheal web formation a 52-year-old following ventilator therapy for ARDS.

Key Words: Airway obstruction, Postintubation tracheal stenosis, Tracheal web