Acute airway obstruction and tracheal laceration during gastrostomy placement in an infant with tracheoesophageal fistula.

摘要

AIRWAY control is one of the most important tenets of anesthetic practice. Asphyxia and tracheal laceration in infants are extremely rare, but life-threatening, complications. Despite many reviews in the literature regarding tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and esophageal atresia, no case of tracheal injury following the aberrant passage of a gastrostomy catheter has been reported. The present case describes an unusual case of iatrogenic airway obstruction and tracheal laceration following placement of a gastrostomy catheter in an infant with esophageal atresia. In addition, we discuss a method to prevent this rare iatrogenic injury.