Tracheal Laceration Due to Elective Intubation and Its Treatment with Endotracheal Stenting

Tracheal laceration causing elective intubation is a rarely seen complication with a high mortality. An eighty-one years old female applied to emergency room due to fever and respiratory distress. It has been stated the diagnosis of pneumonia and respiratory insufficiency and the non-invasive mechanical ventilation with mask has been performed. However, the respiratory failure has progressed and lost her consciousness. She was intubated and accepted to respiratory intensive care unit. After mechanical ventilation support it has been noticed subcutaneous emphysema and flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy has been done via endotracheal tube. A 5cm long tracheal laceration has been revealed in lower part of trachea. The urgent rigid bronchoscopy has been performed and one silicone straight stent and a covered metallic bifurcated stent have been inserted. The araea of laceration has been covered totally. The subcutaneous emphysema disappeared incrementally and after weaning period the patient discharged to the ward.