AN UNUSUAL CASE OF ENDOTRACHEAL-TUBE OBSTRUCTION

A case is reported of endotracheal tube obstruction due to impaction o f a turbinate. This complication occurred during a first attempt of na sotracheal intubation in an ASA 1 18-year-old patient. Once the tube h ad been inserted into the trachea. manual ventilation was impossible. The diagnosis was made on removal of the completely obstructed tube. D ifferential diagnosis was sudden severe bronchospasm or a herniated cu ff. Anasethesiologists should be aware of this rare complication when carrying out nasotracheal intubation. Means of prevention are proposed .