[Tracheal rupture: delayed diagnosis with endobronchial intubation]

Tracheobroncheal rupture is a rare complication of intubation techniques using a stylet. In this case report the patient was intubated by an emergency physician in a preclinical setting after a motor vehicle accident. Iatrogenic tracheal laceration was masked by inappropriate position of the endobronchial tube. By chance ventilation was maintained to both lungs by flow through the Murphy's eye of the tube and the lumen of the tube. In correcting the deep tube position after a chest x-ray laceration of the trachea was unmasked and ventilation problems occurred immediately. The tube was replaced under fiberoptical control and the patient was managed for surgical repair using a jet ventilation technique. In this case two complications of endobronchial intubation occurred, but the deep tube placement opposed the effects of the tracheal laceration. This was probably life saving for the patient during emergency transfer by helicopter after the accident. The anaesthesiological management during tracheal repair is discussed.