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Modified endotracheal tube: emergency alternative to paediatric tracheostomy tube

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2011

M Kurien*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Speech and Hearing, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
R Raviraj
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Speech and Hearing, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
J Mathew
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Speech and Hearing, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
I Kaliaperumal
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Speech and Hearing, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
S Ninan
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Speech and Hearing, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Mary Kurien, Professor and Head, Dept of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Speech and Hearing, Unit 2, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu 632004, India Fax: +91 4162232035 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Background:

In an emergency, the non-availability of a conventional paediatric tracheostomy tube is a therapeutic challenge for the attending surgeon.

Objective:

To describe a simple alternative to a paediatric tracheostomy tube for use in an emergency situation.

Method:

Case report of a 14-year-old boy who developed tracheomalacia following partial cricotracheal resection for subglottic stenosis. As a suitably sized tracheostomy tube (with a long narrow segment) was not available, an endotracheal tube was modified and used successfully. Details of the modification, and a relevant literature review, are also discussed.

Conclusion:

In the paediatric age group, when an appropriately sized tracheostomy tube is not available, a modified endotracheal tube is a simple temporary alternative; this may be especially useful in an emergency.

Type
Short Communications
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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Footnotes

Presented at the National Conference of Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISACON 2009), 26–29 December 2009, Chennai, India

References

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