Inadvertent esophageal migration of endotracheal tube used to guide orogastric tube: An unfortunate complication in an intubated patient

Abstract

In patients undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic surgeries, Ryles tubes are required only for the purpose of intraoperative gastric decompression. Insertion of nasogastric tubes can lead to nasal trauma, and hence, oral tubes provide a feasible alternative. In contrast to the nasopharyngeal cavity, whose anatomical orientation allows ease of insertion into the esophagus, oral insertion of Ryles tube is difficult on account of a larger cavity and potential for coiling. Various aids are often used to ease the insertion of these orogastric tubes. One such aid is the use of an oral endotracheal tube (ETT). This case report aims to bring to light, and the inadvertent complications may occur with the improper use of these aids, which in our case, was the misplacement of the said oral ETT.

Keywords

• adverse event
• complication
• endoscopic removal
• endotracheal tube
• foreign body
• orogastric tube