Korean J Anesthesiol.  1979 Sep;12(3):312-316.

Intraluminal Partial Obstruction of Endotracheal Tube due to Cuff Ballooning

• Jin HY
• Kim KS
• Ahn CK

Abstract

This is a ease report of intraluminal partial obatructian of an endotracheal tube after cuff ballooing, a complication of a malfunctioned endotracheal tube, This 18 year old female patient with herniated intervertebral disc of L4-5 was anesthetized for archotomy and removal of disc. Aneethesia was maintained with N2O-O2-halothanepancuronium after endotracheal intubation with a Murphy tube. (Porges-Latex-tube No. 7), manufactured in France. A few minutes later, airway obstruction signs such as sudden hypertension, tachycardia, resistance of the researvoir bag in inspiration, and delayed filling time of the reservoir bag in expiration appeared. We suspected kinking of the tube, tubal obstruction from secretions, bronchospasm etc, but we could not find the exact cause of airway obstruction in spite of detailed checking. After recovery of the patient from anesthesia we checked the extubated tube. There was intraluminal partial obstruction of the endotracheal tube according to increase of intracuff volume and pressure because of the thin walled, flexible tube and diffusion of N2O into the cuff. After extubation the patient returned to normal. We surmmerized this case and also reviewed with the literature.

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction
Anesthesia
Bronchial Spasm
Diffusion
Fallopian Tube Diseases
Female
France
Humans
Hypertension
Intervertebral Disc
Intubation, Intratracheal
Tachycardia