Conservative management of iatrogenic tracheal rupture in a 19-month-old child

Abstract

Up to date, only five cases of iatrogenic tracheal rupture during rigid bronchoscopy have been reported in children. Herein, we report the first case who has recovered with spontaneous respiration without intubation. Rigid bronchoscopy of a 19-month-old girl revealed a foreign body at the right main bronchus. While the bronchoscope was being withdrawn, we identified a 0.5-cm longitudinal mucosal laceration along the right wall of the membranous trachea. As her spontaneous respiration was adequate, she was treated conservatively. For the treatment of tracheal lacerations, while early surgical repair has traditionally been acceptable, evidence supporting conservative treatment is increasing, particularly in paediatric cases. If spontaneous respiration is sufficient, bridging the laceration with an endotracheal tube may not be required.

Keywords

• bronchoscopy
• case report
• conservative treatment
• foreign body
• tracheal laceration