Tracheal rupture due to endotracheal intubation after cesarean section: a case report

Although spontaneous and traumatic tracheal rupture after intubation is rare, it is life-threatening. Common findings in the tracheal rupture after intubation are emphysema and respiratory distress. In this article, a patient with tracheal rupture due to intubation after cesarean section is introduced.  

A 37-year-old woman with 39-week gestational age underwent general anesthesia for cesarean section with tracheal tube No. 7. During the surgery, the patient was normal for hemodynamic status and respiration. At the end of the surgery after extubation of the tracheal tube, the patient experienced severe coughing. After transferring the patient to the recovery and reducing cough, the patient was transferred to the ward with an oxygen saturation of 96%. After about 30 hours of intubation, the patient suffered face swelling and mild respiratory distress, emphysema from the face to xiphoid. The amount of oxygen saturation with room air was 95% and respiratory distress was not evident. Hemodynamic status was stable. Computed tomography of the lungs showed pneumomediastin, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema of anterior chest wall and evidence of tracheal rupture. The patient was transferred to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, and underwent conservative treatment. After 96 hours, emphysema was completely resolved and the patient was discharged from the hospital after 7 days with a good general condition.

Conservative treatment is recommended in tracheal rupture after intubation, when hemodynamic and respiratory conditions are stable.