GASTRIC RUPTURE COMPLICATING INADVERTENT INTUBATION OF THE ESOPHAGUS

Rupture of the stomach complicating resuscitative measures is usually fatal. A 74-year-old man who suffered a myocardial infarction and card iac arrest had perforation of the stomach when the esophagus was inadv ertently intubated, ventilating the stomach. Laparotomy was performed and the gastric perforation sutured. In spite of the extensive trauma, the patient, incredibly, recovered. Although very few cases have been reported in which the esophagus has inadvertently been intubated resu lting in gastric perforation, this is a potential possibility and shou ld be borne in mind when intubation is followed by abdominal distensio n, rigidity and tenderness.