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A Persistent Endotracheal Tube Cuff Leak Due to an Undiagnosed Tracheal Diverticulum: A Case Report
Ikumi Sawada1, Yusuke Iizuka1, Akihiro Kajisako1
1From the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.
Abstract:
An endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff leakage has serious consequences. Anatomical abnormalities are rare but are possible causes. We report the case of a patient having a robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Endotracheal intubation was performed successfully. However, a cuff leak occurred, and persisted despite standard management efforts. The ETT was carefully advanced until one-lung ventilation was established and then gradually withdrawn until bilateral lung ventilation was restored. Chest computed tomography revealed a tracheal diverticulum immediately below the vocal cords as the underlying cause. If standard troubleshooting fails to resolve a cuff leak, unusual causes should be considered.
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