Fractured Tracheostomy Tube Ingestion in a Pediatric Patient

• Published in: Philippine journal of otolaryngology head & neck surgery Vol. 24; no. 1
• Main Authors: Michie Jay D. Simtoco, Samantha Soriano–Castaneda, Daniel M. Alonzo, Maria Rina T. Reyes-Quintos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philippine Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc 15.06.2009
• Subjects: Complications; Foreign bodies; Pediatrics; Tracheostomy
• ISSN: 1908-4889; 2094-1501
• DOI: 10.32412/pjohns.v24i1.707

Objective: To report a case of fractured tracheotomy tube ingestion in a pediatric patient, discussing the clinical presentation, complications and management of tracheobronchial tree versus upper digestive tract foreign bodies.   Method:             Design:   Case Report             Setting:   Tertiary Private Hospital                 Subject:   One   Results: A 4-year-old male child with unusual hypersensitivity to routine tracheotomy suctioning was discovered to have a fractured tracheotomy tube. Emergency radiographs localized the cannula in the abdomen and bronchoscopy was deferred. The foreign body was eventually passed out after 4 days   Conclusion:  Due diligence in diagnostics prior to bronchoscopy led to the avoidance of an unnecessary and sometimes complicated procedure. In developing countries with poor access to health care, the importance of regular tracheotomy follow-ups and periodic replacement cannot be overemphasized. A search of the English literature using Pubmed and Ovid search engines with keywords tracheostomy, foreign bodies, and pediatrics confirms that this is the first reported accidental ingestion of a fractured tracheotomy tube in a pediatric patient   Keywords: Tracheostomy, Complications, Foreign bodies, Pediatrics