TRACHEAL RUPTURE FOLLOWING BLUNT CHEST TRAUMA PRESENTING AS ENDOTRACHEAL-TUBE OBSTRUCTION

In this report, we describe a patient in whom a tracheal tear followed blunt thoracic trauma. The diagnosis was made late resulting in probl ems with ventilation, endotracheal tube obstruction and cardiac arrest . Difficulties with early recognition of tracheobronchial injuries may be caused by non-specific findings as well as the lack of exposure of physicians to patients with these injuries. The signs and symptoms of tracheobronchial injuries are described, as well as their differentia l diagnoses. A review of airway management has been made as it require s combined anaesthetic and surgical expertise. Injuries of the trachea may have severe, life-threatening consequences and early diagnosis an d management reduce morbidity and mortality.