Airway exchange catheter inducing pneumothorax during reintubation: A rare complication

Abstract

Airway exchange catheters (AECs) are a safe option for exchanging an endotracheal tube (ETT) or in the trial to extubate a patient from ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU). The complication with AEC is underreported. Pneumothorax is a known complication for instrumentation by AEC in the airway. However, having a pneumothorax complication while placing the AEC in expert hands and with all safety precautions is very rare. We report a case of developing pneumothorax while exchanging an ETT in the ICU. Early clinical diagnosis and remedial measures helped us to save the patient. It is interesting as we did not encounter any difficulties while placing the AEC with no significant change in ventilation settings. We feel that highlighting this case will help the physician in the emergency and in the ICU to have a strong suspicion of pneumothorax while using AEC.

Keywords

• airway exchange catheters
• complications
• pneumothorax