Tracheal rupture initially masked by inadvertent bronchial intubation

We report a case of tracheal rupture complicating a blunt chest trauma. As the endotracheal tube had been inadvertently inserted into the right bronch us, tracheal rupture was only suspected when increasingly severe subcutaneo us emphysema occurred after mobilization of the tube. Bronchoscopy confirme d the diagnosis. After surgical repair of the lesion the outcome was uneven tful. Tracheal rupture is an uncommon lesion. All physical and radiological symptoms provide useful diagnostic orientation. In the patient of our case report, inadvertent bronchial intubation made artificial ventilation possi ble and probably prevented lethal outcome. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.