Extensive pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema resulting from iatrogenic tracheal perforation. At surgery, a 5 cm defect was found in the distal trachea.
Post-intubation tracheal rupture is a very rare complication, with incidence estimated at 0.05% to 0.37% of orotracheal intubations 1. Risk factors include anatomical tracheal abnormalities, chronic steroid use, and mediastinal pathologies that alter tracheal positioning, as well as health care provider inexperience and incorrect positioning of the endotracheal tube 1.
Case submitted by Dr. N. Larocque.