Pneumothorax due to ball-valve obstruction of an endotracheal tube in a mechanically ventilated patient. Academic Article Case Study uri icon

abstract

  • Barotrauma is a well-known complication of mechanical ventilation, thought to be related to alveolar rupture from localized hyperinflation. Mishaps related to endotracheal intubation can lead to barotrauma such as inadvertent intubation of the right mainstem bronchus. In this report, we describe pneumothorax as a consequence of ball-valve occlusion, a previously undescribed endotracheal tube malfunction.

publication date

  • January 1, 1992

published in