PROLONGED USE OF AN ENDOTRACHEAL-TUBE CHANGER IN A PEDIATRIC-PATIENT WITH A POTENTIALLY COMPROMISED AIRWAY

A 14-year-old obese male patient presented following a motor vehicle a ccident with multiple injuries and respiratory failure requiring endot racheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Because of potential pr oblems with a difficult airway, an endotracheal tube changer was used at the time of extubation and left in place for a prolonged period of time. Leaving the tube changer in place maintained access to the airwa y. Additionally, the manipulation of the tube changer was used to stim ulate the cough reflex.