[Tracheal ruptures in endotracheal intubation. Diagnosis and therapy]

Tracheal ruptures are most frequently the result of a blunt trauma to the thorax or of forced intubation. They represent a rare, but life-threatening complication that requires immediate help.

The resulting pneumothorax and the skin/mediastinal emphysema are the most prominent clinical signs. Injuries of the tracheobronchial tract should be diagnosed endoscopically and treated surgically immediately after the trauma.

The present paper reports on three cases of tracheal ruptures after forced intubation which could be successfully managed by tracheostomy and subsequent reconstruction of the defects. The postoperative care of the patients is critically discussed.