Natural closing of a tracheal tear caused by intubation in a patient with relapsing polychondritis

Abstract

Key message Relapsing polychondritis (RP) often develops into severe tracheobronchial stenosis with malacia. Although tracheal tears rarely occur by intubation, treatment decisions for tears can be difficult due to airway inflammation in RP patients. In this case, due to advanced age and immunosuppressive treatment, we decided against invasive surgery.

Keywords

• Relapsing polychondritis
• tracheo‐mediastinal fistula
• tracheostomy