AN UNUSUAL CASE OF ENDOTRACHEAL-TUBE OBSTRUCTION

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