OCCLUSION OF THE PILOT TUBE IN A LASER-SHIELD-II ENDOTRACHEAL-TUBE CAUSED BY METHYLENE-BLUE CRYSTALS - A CASE-REPORT

The Laser-Shield II (Xomed-Treace, Jacksonville, FL) endotracheal tube is equipped with methylene blue crystals to aid in the prompt detecti on of tube cuff rupture. As the tube cuff is being inflated with salin e, the crystals are supposed to dissolve fully in the saline, forming a solution that is readily visible in the event of cuff rupture. We de scribe a case of occlusion of the pilot balloon tube caused by undisso lved methylene blue crystals, a situation that made it impossible to d eflate the Laser-Shield II tube cuff: Our experience may aid in future modification of endotracheal tube design. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Scienc e Inc.