AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF INTRAOPERATIVE HYPOXEMIA

Congenital anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree are rare occurrences ; however, they can lead to pulmonary complications. A tracheal bronch us is an anatomic variant in which an ectopic bronchus originates dire ctly from the tracheal wall above the carina. Presented is a case of i ntraoperative hypoxemia due to right upper lobe collapse. Despite what appeared to be proper endotracheal tube positioning, this clinical sc enario was found to be the result of endotracheal tube obstruction of a tracheal bronchus supplying the right upper lobe. Fiberoptic broncho scopy proved to be a rapid diagnostic and therapeutic tool, as the end otracheal tube was able to be visually positioned above this aberrantl y located bronchus.